I think you might want to check with someone who has successfully pulled an owl from the nest and imprinted it. The books say as long as their eyes are still blue you can imprint them, but I would definitely want to have someone with me who has done it before and can walk me through the process. You also might want a motorcycle helmet and some kevlar. The females will defend their nest and you don't want eight talons going into the back of your head and neck. Good luck
IMHO, while Owls may be used for falconry / Owls are not great falconry birds. There are very very few falconers that can successfully and regularly take game with a GHO (art of falconry: TAKING wild GAME with a trained bird of prey). So I believe the desire to own an owl has to come from external sources. I mean like tv shows and movies (Harry potter anyone?) That tend to glamorize them.
That and they are just massive, and some people just want to have a large Bird of prey for the wow factor. I do know of a few (I mean one falconer I respect) who wants to try one for the challenge of it. Because again in reality they just don't make good falconry birds.
I think you can't overstate the marketing angle. Owls regularly make cameo appearances on cartoons, TV shows, movies, etc. From Winnie the Pooh to the Rats of Nimh to that old Tootsie Roll commercial, the "wise old owl" is a staple of animated media. Throw in Harry Potter and Renaissance fairs and there you have it.
IMHO, while Owls may be used for falconry / Owls are not great falconry birds. There are very very few falconers that can successfully and regularly take game with a GHO (art of falconry: TAKING wild GAME with a trained bird of prey). So I believe the desire to own an owl has to come from external sources. I mean like tv shows and movies (Harry potter anyone?) That tend to glamorize them.
That and they are just massive, and some people just want to have a large Bird of prey for the wow factor. I do know of a few (I mean one falconer I respect) who wants to try one for the challenge of it. Because again in reality they just don't make good falconry birds.
Thanks! I understand the Amazement with owls, let alone all birds. But from the research i have done, i can not figure why anyone would want to use a bird that can put your OWN life in risk....I understand all birds of prey are dangerous, but it kind of seems that Great Horned Owls are so much more dangerous...
I wouldn't say they are so much more dangerous than other BOP. They are really Strong for their size . I've handled a few , one that tangled with a friends RT last season. We were able to separate the 2 without harm and release the GHO. It was actually the RT that stooped on the Owl for reference . They aren't dangerous to humans , no more so than any other wild animal .
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
As you stated handling any bird of prey has some risk of injury. I would argue that a Golden Eagle poses a greater threat to a person then a GHO, Yet they (golden eagles) are used as falconry birds the world over, the reason is they are good falconry birds. They readily and consistently are effective at taking game with a falconer.
If Owls had a similar effectiveness I would contend that many falconers would be flying them. But again Owls just are not effective as falconry birds. Most people truly interested in falconry shy away from these birds as they are very difficult to train and put on game.
I put it to you like this. Suppose you were left in a desolate wooded area for a week, and you had no way to get to anyone for assistance in getting your next meal. Before you were dropped off, you as a falconer had a choice between taking a great horned owl or a red tailed hawk to hunt with for your food. What would you choose??
Last Edit: Mar 26, 2013 17:48:41 GMT -5 by nanahawk