Post by apfalconer9111 on Oct 14, 2012 22:16:24 GMT -5
Im new to falconry and Im learning alto very quick. the only peice of equipment i don't really understand is jesses.can someone show me a diagram or picture and what they do and tell me how they are put on and any other helpful info.thanks a ton.
You don't understand jesses? They're just straps of leather (Generally. Some falconers get more creative) that are used with anklets (just what they sound like. Leather ankle braces that go around the leg) to restrain the hawk from jumping from the fist or a perch and injuring itself.
Pretty simple really. Look at almost any picture of a falconry bird on the fist or in flight and you'll see the the jesses hanging from their legs.
Hey, don't feel bad. Totally new concept and terminology if you've never been around it before.
Aaron (Skyrider) did a pretty good job of explaining it. Short straps of leather (or paracord, or dacron, etc.) threaded through the anklets, usually prevented from going all the way through by a button or knot on one end.
"Mews" jesses are used for tethering, and typically have a slit on the other end to attach to a swivel, which is attached to a leash to tie to a perch. The reason for the jess on each leg is so if the bird tries to bate (jump/fly off the perch or glove) the pressure is evenly distributed to both legs to prevent injuries.
"Field" jesses are similar, except rather than a slit on the end opposite the button/knot, they either have nothing or only a small hole poked in them to attach a small clip. The reason for this is that a slitted jess would have the possibility of getting snagged on a branch or a brush and snaring the hawk.
Does that help?
If you dislike someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. --Jack Handy