Bicycling With A Bird?

[FalconryGirl]

Hello everyone!

I'm a pre-apprentice who is currently unable to drive (I'm too young). However, I've passed my test, gotten my hunting license, etc. and have found some local fields that I think I can hunt in. I'm still in the process of finding/scouting/getting permission for some fields, but I was thinking about a way to be able to transport my hawk with my bike. I was thinking of maybe rigging up a perch in one of those toddler/dog trailers. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

FalconryGirl

[SkyRider]

I've seen a few folks bike with their kestrels. A red-tail hawk is an entirely different ball of wax. I think there have been a few that have done it, but it's a struggle. A perch on the bike is going to cause problems. If the bird bates, it could be enough to throw you off balance and crash, causing injury to both you and the bird.

And you'll probably have an uphill battle finding a sponsor that will take you on if you don't have your license. The majority of them don't care to sponsor someone who can't drive to hunt. That's not to discourage or dissuade you, just to let you know. I was licensed before I could drive and so were a few others on this site. So it's possible, it might just take a little more work than normal.

[FalconryGirl]

Well, I've got one person considering sponsoring me and there are a few other people who I can reach out to who were interested if that doesn't work out, and they all know that I'm too young to drive, so I *think* I'll be able to get a sponsor even if I can't drive.

Also, if there bird were hooded (as it probably would be if I was biking), would that not keep it from bating?

[Falcon Boy]

Mar 21, 2017 22:59:54 GMT -5 FalconryGirl said:

Also, if there bird were hooded (as it probably would be if I was biking), would that not keep it from bating?

Depends on the bird, the hood, and what's going on. Generally yes, but not always.

[FalconryGirl]

I live near a golf course that I can ride through with only a few road crossings to get to some fields. Would it be safe to hood and carry the bird on my fist when I'm crossing the road and then once I'm away from the road and into the golf course simply have it follow on?

[megapode]

I have ridden a bicycle with a RedTail following me for 10 miles. I was not able to ride with it on my fist for very far at all.
It was on a private logging road so I was not worried. It was at the end of the season, and if it took off not the end of the world.
I am not sure I would do it in town. There are a bunch of variables. Power poles can be dangerous, I have hooded birds and left an area because of an ugly power pole. I have had a hawk catch a cat, not funny, cost me $150 at the vet for my bird. Could have been worse.

[FalconryGirl]

I hadn't thought about cats. I don't see very many, so I think it'd be okay, especially because it's not a very long walk. The telephone poles aren't much of a problem on this particular route- mostly it's just trees. My main concern was cars- I have to cross one main road and a few offshoots of that road.

[mississipikite]

This is a half-joke, but if you want to buy one of these european bikes it would probably supply a nice flat spot for a perch.

[toasterpop14]

Would it be possible to transport the bird in a giant hood in some form or would it be too hard on the bird and too heavy for the biker?

[FalconryGirl]

I was considering using one of those trailers people use for toddlers/dogs and putting a giant hood in there, but I'm not sure how that would fit. I think I'd be able to bike with it, but not sure how shaky the giant hood would be.

And mississippikite - not a bad idea, but I don't think I'll be able to find a european bike

[iowahawker]

Mar 21, 2017 21:33:40 GMT -5 FalconryGirl said:

Hello everyone!

I'm a pre-apprentice who is currently unable to drive (I'm too young). However, I've passed my test, gotten my hunting license, etc. and have found some local fields that I think I can hunt in. I'm still in the process of finding/scouting/getting permission for some fields, but I was thinking about a way to be able to transport my hawk with my bike. I was thinking of maybe rigging up a perch in one of those toddler/dog trailers. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

FalconryGirl