Post by horsepower on Jul 5, 2009 2:05:32 GMT -5
I don't know enough yet to even assume the title of pre- pre- preapprentrice but I've read nearly every thread on here over the last couple of nights at work--been slow.
If an RT is trained and hunted on squirrels and is not intermewed, would it not likely have a higher mortality rate upon release? It seems that if a bird is taught to see these little biting machines as the primary prey base, once they are released they would choose to pursue them but now have no handler waiting with the peroxide, toothbrush and veternarian, if needed, making them more prone to injury, infection and the like.
By way of introduction, I've been long fascinated with falconry but am only now reaching a point where available time, funds and lifestyle would make it a feasible pursuit, although I still haven't decided if I'm ready to commit or just still admire from afar. I am, however, familiar with the use of trained animals as hunting weapons having used beagles and lurchers for rabbits and bay and catch dogs for hogs (which turned out to carry to high a risk for the dogs to be palatable sport in my opinion although it certainly is exhilarating to wade in after an angry 150 to 200 pound boar being held by a 40 pound dog). I like the finesse and refinement that seems to be prevalent in falconry versus the throw enough dogs on the ground and take home the survivors to hunt again mentality that I found prevalent in hog hunting and my current stomping grounds have to many thorns and barbwire fences waiting to slice up the speed dogs chasing the bunnies.
I do believe I'd be more interested long term in pursuing avian game flushed over dogs and caught with a bird off the fist but am limited to RTs and Kestrels in my home state of Missouri for starters and from what I've read, sponsors of first-timers who want Kestrels are few and far between. I live on a small hobby horse farm (30 acres) in a rural area but have unlimited access to a couple of sections of mixed crop and cattle operations right outside my door and lots and lots of public ground with an hour of me. My primary feathered game targets would be dove (far and away #1 but only available a couple months out of the year), quail and jumped puddle ducks and have bountiful squirrel populations and decent rabbit ones available as well. Off season holds tremendous starling, sparrow and pigeon potential and squirrel season in Missouri is only closed a couple months out of the year.
I've enjoyed reading many of the threads and have been realizing very quickly that the small amount I thought I knew doesn't amount to anything at all.
Good Lord, I've rambled so long, my original question was would released squirrel hawks carry a higher injury/mortality rate than one used on less dangerous game and I threw in my personal scenario for advice on where to begin beginning, so to speak.
If an RT is trained and hunted on squirrels and is not intermewed, would it not likely have a higher mortality rate upon release? It seems that if a bird is taught to see these little biting machines as the primary prey base, once they are released they would choose to pursue them but now have no handler waiting with the peroxide, toothbrush and veternarian, if needed, making them more prone to injury, infection and the like.
By way of introduction, I've been long fascinated with falconry but am only now reaching a point where available time, funds and lifestyle would make it a feasible pursuit, although I still haven't decided if I'm ready to commit or just still admire from afar. I am, however, familiar with the use of trained animals as hunting weapons having used beagles and lurchers for rabbits and bay and catch dogs for hogs (which turned out to carry to high a risk for the dogs to be palatable sport in my opinion although it certainly is exhilarating to wade in after an angry 150 to 200 pound boar being held by a 40 pound dog). I like the finesse and refinement that seems to be prevalent in falconry versus the throw enough dogs on the ground and take home the survivors to hunt again mentality that I found prevalent in hog hunting and my current stomping grounds have to many thorns and barbwire fences waiting to slice up the speed dogs chasing the bunnies.
I do believe I'd be more interested long term in pursuing avian game flushed over dogs and caught with a bird off the fist but am limited to RTs and Kestrels in my home state of Missouri for starters and from what I've read, sponsors of first-timers who want Kestrels are few and far between. I live on a small hobby horse farm (30 acres) in a rural area but have unlimited access to a couple of sections of mixed crop and cattle operations right outside my door and lots and lots of public ground with an hour of me. My primary feathered game targets would be dove (far and away #1 but only available a couple months out of the year), quail and jumped puddle ducks and have bountiful squirrel populations and decent rabbit ones available as well. Off season holds tremendous starling, sparrow and pigeon potential and squirrel season in Missouri is only closed a couple months out of the year.
I've enjoyed reading many of the threads and have been realizing very quickly that the small amount I thought I knew doesn't amount to anything at all.
Good Lord, I've rambled so long, my original question was would released squirrel hawks carry a higher injury/mortality rate than one used on less dangerous game and I threw in my personal scenario for advice on where to begin beginning, so to speak.
