jacks witha male redtail

[Modoc]

So far ive produced 3 jackrabbit slips for my 765 gram flying weight male redtail.
The first 2 he got his azz kicked off and flew to a tree the 3rd he didnt chase.
Anyone have any jackrabbit stories with these smaller males?

[michaelberan]

Duh?

How many times do you have to get your azz kicked before you learn not to go behind the boys gym during recess?

A small hawk needs to learn to get a good head hold fast to tackle such large prey, should have started with Mr. Freeze Jacks first dragged on a line.

Lots of folks take Jacks with little male HH's so you should be able to do the same but it will be tough to get THAT redtail to try jacks again.

[Master Yarak]

Its a confidence issue. There is easier things for him to catch than a Jack. Now if it were me and I really wanted him to hunt Jacks, their are a few steps I would take. First is feeding him Jack. Second would be to drag one. Third would be a controlled bagged situation. Fourth would be to drop his weight. In the UK they condition their birds a bit differently, they use a drag line like a heavy creance. Getting him fit for long chases will take more than jump-ups. Lots of slips, did I say lots of slips...only fly him where Jacks are the only thing he sees. All these steps in a progressive order should refocus his drive on them. As Michael said he must learn to control the head. Another factor that will come into play will be the weather. As temps drop his motivation will increase. It is certainly doable, his size only means you will really have to get there in one heck of a hurry. He will not be able to hold 9 lb Jack for long. If you have any other questions call me or send PM.
Yarak (who's money is on Modoc)

[Falcon Boy]

I'm with Yarak, and i do believe feeding jack helps. My gyr/saker has been feeding on nothing but jack the past 2 weeks or so, and has been dragged on A LOT of bunnies [none within the past week though]. My birds been flying around 694g, so if he will do this www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxQeGGT_zLs you should be able to get modoc to, it's just a matter of building confidence as Yarak said.

[harrishawker]

If you look at my log you will read that at first Sid was taking the rabbit and these where 4lb + so they where no cottontails from behind but he started to realise that once he brings the rabbit down by the legs he moves himself around to the head.

What's happening now is he has moved from taking it by the legs only with only 50% success rate to then i have found he has the legs and head tucked up when i get there, but the latest he is taking it by the head only.
He has learned also his angle of attack, now more head on than tail.
Does not always work but i would say its gone from 50% to 90% success rate.


Now i might get some flak for this but give him longer on the rabbit he has just pinned down and make him realise you are not going to help him, he will soon realise the head is the only way so he will move around to it, then you go in to dispatch it.
He will soon learn, then he will expect you to dispatch it as soon as he has got it by the head.
I used this method with Sid, he soon learned that i will help him only if he is on the head. It only took a few kills .

[Modoc]

Thats very interesting harrishawker. I will keep that in mind.
I have been unable to get my hands on a jackrabbit, dead or alive, for training purposes.
But the CA meet is in a few weeks and i am sure to get one there from another falconer as the place is loaded with them.