Listen Zach, I haven't been on here much lately, and there are alot of new posts on this thread. I'll admit that I got a little hot-headed, and maybe defensive reading them all at one sitting. I've always used a slingshot while squirrelhawking, even as a pre-apprentice, and I've never viewed them as a harmful tool. Even when you pop a nest with one, it usually just goes right through. /i've never destroyed a nest with a slingshot. I've destroyed more nests by shaking vines, but never with a projectile.
Anyway, I see your point and respect your views. If I seemed to be attacking you, I apologize.
And I'm not trying to be a posterchild for Gary, but I do have a ton of respect for him. And you know he's flown a few tiercels in the past, right?
Post by Tiercel78 on Sept 10, 2006 21:37:59 GMT -5
Like I said in some states shaking vines,slingshots, throwing stuff is harrasment. So I guess it depends on what that state or warden thinks is harrasment or unfair chase. I know if you shoot someone with a paintball gun for a prank that they will charge you pretty good. I don't know how true but I heard the same as if you shot someone with a real gun.
I used to think i knew some things. But i'm not so sure anymore.
Post by Master Yarak on Sept 10, 2006 21:45:50 GMT -5
T78, I am absolutely sure Dodes made no reference to you. I have heard that same statement made by others. Not you. Your reason for your preference has been made clear to me and I agree with it. Training a green bird on squirrels can be tough. Increasing the birds tenacity is crucial to building its confidence. I had many that gave us the slip by escaping into nests. I sure could have used a slingshot many times. Over time and many many slips she figured it out without one. Now she destroys the nest just to remove its use or to get at its inhabitant. It takes repeated experiences to get to that. One benefit of this species is that they are abundant. So that one escapes within minutes another will be targeted.That one too escapes and again and again. Each time weather through success or failure the experience teaches the bird. It improves. Fewer and fewer escape. stalking and quartering techniques are refined and honed to a machine like efficiency. Smoking the squirrel out is rarely done anymore by anyone. I have not seen anyone take a paint ball gun hunting with there hawk. I know that they are not needed to create a great squirrel hawk or great squirrel hawker. Simply stated, slips equal success. Its just that simple. If anyone has any doubts about the validity of that statement, feel free to ask anyone that has seen my bird hunt without a dog, slingshot, smoke bomb or any other device. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
moredtailboy, the answer to your question is, in that tree you don't. Here in GA it's unlawful to, Disturb wildlife dens, holes, or homes, or drive wildlife, except venomous snakes, from their dens, holes or homes. You could pull vines / shake an adjacent tree. Otherwise keep walking. If you're in the woods at the right time of day the squirrels will be out of their dens & active. That's why we employ birds to assist us hunting them. A good point was made with reference to shooting projectiles out of a catapult / slingshot / flip whilst hunting small game ( squirrel ). Don't know if it's permissible.
A few points on paintball guns One: in most states shooting SOMEONE with a paintball gun that isn’t playing paintball with you, as in the before mention prank is “assault with a weapon”. Two: A paintball projectile weighing approximately 2.84 grams and traveling at 300 feet per second is able to transfer approximately 11.8 joules of energy, AN ASSUMETION: that force would be enough force to kill and or temporary stun a squirrel, so it would not be a stretch to call that hunting (and no I don’t know the law).
I was only mentioning this mainly because someone said and a few hinted that they are only markers so they would only be painting the squirrel The ratio of force and size of a pellet to a person is far greater then that of a small animal Maybe the same as someone throwing you a bowling ball at 300 fps… I think that would hurt.. at a target it would be cool to see
Robert
Last Edit: Mar 16, 2007 6:09:26 GMT -5 by rcmillen
There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; So they break the hearts of kith and kin, And they roam the world at will. Robert Service
As far as I know, smoke bombs and paint-ball guns are legal in TX.
Well dodes... you live in Texas, Skeet shooting P.E.! and If Rcmillen you have control over the Velocity of the Gun, I really doubt that unless you hit a squirrel in the Head it would do much damage... other than a large Painful possibly crippling bruise which I suppose would be under the classification of damage. On the other hand I wouldn't use a paint-ball gun for getting squirrels out of a tree... the bullets cost 1/3 as much as Real 22 bullets, and they are terribly inaccurate, the wind can blow them a foot off course. Not really sure they what would be the best but this is just my opinion on the PBG
"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." -Thomas Paine
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? -Marianne Williamson
for the unconventional, an airzooka i think would be excellent for knocking down squirrel nests (provide there is no crosswind) and i doubt the game wardens would consider such thing a weapon.
"If there is anything the nonconformist hates worse than a conformist, it is another nonconformist who does not conform to the prevailing standard of nonconformity."- Unknown
But no licensed falconer would want to go hunting with you if you blast squirrels homes with a bazooka or paintball gun. Thats not sporting at all. Why dont you just shoot them with a shotgun while your at it?
Whats the point of practicing falconry?
If the Squirrel gets away.. go after another squirrel?
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold. - Helen Keller.
FAIR CHASE!... This is what most ethical hunters use when out in the woods. The Problem is not the weapon thing but, the destruction of habitat and harassment.
Last Edit: Mar 29, 2007 15:39:15 GMT -5 by Tiercel78
I used to think i knew some things. But i'm not so sure anymore.