Well, I'm new here and new to the sport. I'm doing my research right now. From what I gather, there's not much Canadian information on the internet which could make this a little tougher!! It just dawned on me recently that falconry is something I should take up! I've always wanted to hunt (deer) but, never quite had the stomach for the "after the kill" part. I wanted to hunt them and wanted to eat them but, the inbetween.. wasn't for me! I used to own a Patterdale Terrier who was a retired coon hunting dog (they're about the size of a Jack Russell.. much more game to them though) and he was one cool dog. I'm also a bird fancier (currently own a cockatoo) so, with all this.. it's only natural for me to hunt with a bird (or so it seems)!! I already am involved with another pricey sport (I have 2 horses) so, why not!! Anyways, I'm glad I found this board, I've been spending most of the day reading through threads on here. I'm starting to feel as a Canadian and as a woman, I'm slighly outnumbered so.. be nice!!!
Erica - maybe eventually I'll learn to skin and gut a deer so I can actually try to hunt them too... we'll see!
sent you an email fallow my advice and keep in touch here. There is a lot of goods info here, people who know more than I do here as well.Don't forget there are some pritty smart young ladies here and I think you will enjoy their company. Best of luck Chris.
It's great to have you here! I'm glad to see mor women getting into the sport. That increases the chances of my wife at least accompanying me to a few events. I'm not a deer hunter but i'm the only one in this part of the country that isn't. I've never heard anyone say that they enjoy field dressing deer. It's a nasty smelly job. But you should be able to get some assistance doing that from other hunters. At times i've envied Chris. The regs in Canada are much more falconer friendly than they are in the states. I haven't grasped that whole "pay for capture permits" thing. Apparently you have to pay different prices for the permit to trap different birds ? Oh well, it would be worth $300 to trap a Red Tail without the state and the feds breathing down your neck. Welcome! Glad you're here! I hope you stick around a while!
Post by Master Yarak on Aug 10, 2004 11:45:27 GMT -5
Erica, I cannot be nice. It sounds like you will have to harden your heart about the "in between part". I get a morbid satisfaction in the death of a fox squirrel. But hey I know I am twisted. Good luck up there in the Great White North. 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
Yarak - I had a bit of a revelation today and I think I'll now be able to do it!! Here's how it works.. venison is my all time favourite meat.. however, since December, I've been vegetarian (just didn't feel like eating meat one day.. I was vegetarian a few years ago too, only lasted about a year). HOWEVER.. I figure since I love venison but, am doing fine without the other meats that if I kill it or, if it was killed in the field, then I can eat it! I just won't eat the stuff that gets slaughtered in a plant. That way I'm sitting on the fence still!! I told my husband and he laughed at me.. most people are vegetarian because they think eating animals is cruel, I'm not really quite sure why I am one still and I love venison. Most people would eat beef but, would never eat deer. I'm more of a fan of wild game (deer, moose, bear). After thinking this today, I just might be able to handle it!! Have to talk to the father in law and brother in law a bit more. Apparantley they enjoy it. Once I did it once, I think I'd be fine (pictures of it don't gross me out, blood doesn't gross me out, I think I'm just more scared of doing it). Time will tell!! I still am the only female that I know that thinks hunting is OK!!
Erica - who still would love to try hog hunting in the South with bulldawgs!
Erica you should meet my family most of the women hunt and some of them are more competitive than the men. Anyway the fear you talk about probably has to do with stories of meat that was ruined by incorrect gutting. Why is wild game fine to you but domestic meat isn't. That probably has to do with the feed lot and the news reports that show beef hung by it's heels and and screaming. I myself don't care for slaughter house prosedure. And as for feed lots well forced weightand steriods don't make my mouth water. But a dry cow moose nothing eats better. Any how best of luck. Chris
Post by LadySquirrelHawker on Aug 11, 2004 5:57:51 GMT -5
Erica, Welcome! It's good to know there's another female out there who loves to hunt, enjoys horses and birds, and is interested in falconry. I'm a first year apprentice (well, technically still waiting on fed permit to show up in the mail). My husband is a second year apprentice (I let him be the guinea pig ).
My only advice in the field dressing department is to have a couple of beers before hand, and to make sure it's a nice, chilly day! (which you probably don't have to worry about up north....I'm in Texas). The first time I shot and killed a deer, my adrenaline was so pumped I had no problem with the in-between part. I also had the guidance of my grandfather ("Ya gotta be tough, darlin'). And besides that, I LOVE steak, hamburgers, chicken, turkey....just about anything! (I think not eating meat in Texas is a hangin' offense or something! ;D)
Occasionally, I prefer not to be involved with the gutsy part. But, I've found that growing up and having the opportunity to experience it, I really don't mind it all that much, and that has carried over into falconry. Before I decided to join the falconry band wagon, I gutted around 10 jack rabbits for my husband's red tail(Keep the beer in mind ). Basically, I try to keep a mind set that the field dressing and the later food are two separate things and events. That way, I can eat venison without getting grossed out.
I have three dogs (2 jack russels and a rat terrier), and have owned horses in the past. I can't afford to board them right now. But we have hopes of buying land and horses with our next house....with lots of trees and squirrels. I'm hoping to hunt my red tail on squirrels...I'm hooked! And falconry from horseback....that would be heaven!
If you have any questions for me, feel free to ask away! I think it's great that you want to pursue falconry and that you're doing your research. It's a very dedicated sport, but the payoff is worth it! I've had a lot of fun hunting with my husband and his sponsor (now, my sponsor too) this last season, and I'm excited about the coming season with my own red tail!
Oh, and If anybody isn't nice to ya.....well, we have ways of dealin' with that.....just get 2 females together that know how to hunt.....well, let's just say being outnumbered isn't gonna matter much! ;D
Thanks for your reply LadySquirrelHawker!! Got a question for you.. I'm not a beer drinker so, would Tequila work! My husband is from a hunting family but, he has no interest in hunting.. I'm doing it alone!! He just rolled his eyes, "Another animal"? LOL
Hunting from horseback does sound awesome. Luckily I already have a horse who'd let me do it in a heartbeat!! Nothing phases this horse AT ALL!! Broker than any horse I've ridden (we offered to let him be used as a school horse a few years back.. my coach/barn owner.. who is over in Greece now on the Olympic team said he was too broke for a schoolie)!! I think he was initially reining trained so he can do his spins, turns, neck reins etc. no problem and he's never spooked in the 7 years we've owned him. My 3 year old even rides him (started last year)!!
You will be suprized at what a raptor will do to a horse..... ....Even the horse knows they are predators. I had a cutting horse, so I know what you mean about the actions. My horse had two speeds, stop and hold the heck on. he was almost all voice command so if you so much as made a small click with your mouth.....off you go. I could simply shift my weight in the saddle and he would jump from side to side instantly. He was way to high strung and had a mind of his own.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Post by LadySquirrelHawker on Aug 12, 2004 11:12:26 GMT -5
Erica, Oh, tequila would do just fine.....Tres Generations?....hmmmm! ;D Well, good for you for going out on a limb all by yourself!! Maybe you'll convert your hubby! I definitely have a lot more research to do regarding hawking from horse back. I don't personally know anyone who has done it, but it does sound awesome! Sounds like your horse has auto pilot....a very good start! And a three y/o.....you've got your hands full!!! I've heard kids make good flushers, though! The horse Mr. Weasel mentions was a stinker....used to let all the other horses out of their stalls where he was boarded, then out of the paddock! The other was a green broke two year old and he was meaner than a son-of-a-gun...loved to bite. But, I do miss them! Wow, your coach is on the Olympic team!?! That has got to be a great resource!!! Melissa
Post by BlueTiercel on Aug 12, 2004 11:28:16 GMT -5
Hey Erica, My wife wants to hunt so chalk that up for another woman who knows hunting is the natural way things are...I agree about not wanting to eat meat froma slaughter house. I am tryin to cut procesed meat right out of my life. all killed be yours truely. Well I don;t think field dressing and animal is sucha big deal. I started hunting 2 years ago, shot my first deer, 30-30, dead with one shot jumped, staggered about 15 feet kicked on ground twice and done. i was so excited, i gutted it out and it was easier than i though it would be. I told the deer, sorry i killed you but thank you for giving your life to me so that i may live. I am that kinda guy...about as spiritual as i get. Anway as long as you respect the life of the animal it is an awesome thing. I know of a women who has taken 3 deer with a bow and cried every time. She quit using a bow because she has wounded a few and that is to much for hewr but still rifle hunts. Try to find a mentor you can respect to teah you the ways of hunting. good luck and think abou the falconry thing looong and hard, and get a good mentor!!
"every dream you keep inside, another part of you has died"
Post by Falcon Boy on Aug 12, 2004 12:07:13 GMT -5
Well said BT.
This past deer season was my first. I actually got my deer out hunting with my falconry sponsor, who actually tought me how to gut a deer properly. Gutting them is not bad, but hold your nose, and bring a towel and water if there is not a stream near by to wash off your hands.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Post by BlueTiercel on Aug 12, 2004 12:12:09 GMT -5
Exactly FB, The smell is what gets me at first once cut open, that and diving in..and it is soo hot! thats kind of amazing though, you realize we are like that inside too. The heat. That is great you got your first deer with your sponsor, my dad has never hunted and I had an uncle that helped me along. We need to be these same kind of ethical and encouraging role models to anyone else looking to learn. Okay i sound like an article in Field and Stream or Deer and Deer Hunting now.... the latter is my fav by the way. Peace
"every dream you keep inside, another part of you has died"
Post by BlueTiercel on Aug 12, 2004 12:13:41 GMT -5
Oh yeah but Erica, once you get going, its not hard, its the plunge you might say, all those intestines look menacing but it's really no big deal and you will e proud of yourself as well.
"every dream you keep inside, another part of you has died"
I've actually always wanted to try bow hunting. My brother used to bow fish. I don't think my aim would be THAT precise!! I know bow hunting isn't as quick as hunting with a rifle but, I like the thought of using a bow better!! I think I'd better try a rifle first though! I can't watch shows on TV where they show anything having to do with humans and operations (except one show where they follow doctors in poor countries, battle lines, third world countries etc).. that grosses me out but, animal stuff I think is cool.. I guess I'll have to try it myself to know!
LadySquirrelHawker - my 3 year old is a biter. She's been threatening sine I got her (as a weanling) and full out attacked a friend last week who was just in her paddock filling up her water bucket. She now wears a muzzle. The other day she swung around with her butt but, not sure if she was being silly or wanting to kick... she got a lickin' for the biting though. If she wasn't so cute (she's a lovely mover) I'd have sold her already!! I am very proud of my coach (Ian Roberts) for making the 3-Day team.. exactly 20 years after his wife (my other coach.. own the barn where I keep my non nasty horse) was on the Olympic 3-Day team in LA!