[glow=purple,2,900]My understanding is they are part of the training. For calming the bird. Correct me if I am wrong.[/glow]
IMO - Hoods for an RT are gr8t for 3 things. * 1st trapped * trips to the vet * hawking with other falconers in the field when all bring their birds out at once
I respect Dode's opinion - but with my first bird I do not need to hood for weighing, he gets on the scale no prob every day, loves his giant hood 'cause he knows it's hunting time, changing equipment was tough but we got through it together and if you can't feel your bird's keel on the fist well.........
Catlin, my opinion is based only on what I've observed. I'm not a falconer yet, and I was referring to a freshly trapped hawk in all of my examples. My point was, with a brand new, unmanned hawk, a hood makes things alot easier. Atleast that's what I've witnessed.
[glow=purple,2,900]Thanks CATLIN and Dodes both clarifications. (going into notes if there wrong its all your fault )[/glow]
Never settle.
"There's nothing like the feeling of knowing that you've made a difference in someone's life, even if that difference is a lifetime of nightmares and a fortune in therapy bills." - Marilyn Manson
The usage of hoods change from speceis to speceis, A hood for an Rt is an added conveance, For an accipiter it is a protective measure against those things that might upset them. For falcons it is mandatory they are inpatient and don't ride the fist well. They don't like to sit around. The hood keeps them calm, A hood also helps you selct which game you will be flighing at. Again this is somethng that becomes more important as you progress into the other speceis of raptors. Why train your rt to the hood because it's a lot easier to train an rt to the hood than a gos. There are so many reasons to hood train and none of them are of the utmost importance to rts but they are the best bird for learning with. Hood train your rt's you won't regret it
So far i've only used the hood for trapping. My bird will let me lift her feet, hold her wings out and just about anything else i need to do at a vets office. Weasel mentioned that when he takes the hood off of his bird she knows that it's hunting time. That's the best reason i've heard of for hood training a RT. I haven't decided if i'll try it or not, but it may be worth a shot.
I saw a pic today of a hood on a small falcon with the braces mada with zip ties. ( you know the little plastic things that close and dont re open) has anyone else ever seen or heard of this or does this guy just need a new hood???/
The old lakota was wise he said: "a mans heart away from nature grows cold"
The usage of hoods change from speceis to speceis, A hood for an Rt is an added conveance, For an accipiter it is a protective measure against those things that might upset them. For falcons it is mandatory they are inpatient and don't ride the fist well. They don't like to sit around. The hood keeps them calm, A hood also helps you selct which game you will be flighing at. Again this is somethng that becomes more important as you progress into the other speceis of raptors. Why train your rt to the hood because it's a lot easier to train an rt to the hood than a gos. There are so many reasons to hood train and none of them are of the utmost importance to rts but they are the best bird for learning with. Hood train your rt's you won't regret it
My sponsor wants me to hood any bird I do get so I can learn to hood any bird as needed. So it's not so much that an RT needs a hood as if you are ever going to fly something else YOU need to learn how to hood. Most Kestrels aren't hooded. Mine will be. At least taught to take the hood as needed. It does not mean you have to hood your bird constantly, quick refreshers are a good idea. But in case of emergency you darn well should be able to !
We had a RT break a talon. We hood her, cast her and treated her on the spot. She was hood shy. She is good for it now. Our Buzzard hates the hood. She needs retraining. I can get it on her, it's just not easy.
Our Lanner Falcon I can present the hood gently and just ease it over her head with her just sitting on the perch. She loves her hood.
" Insanity takes its toll..........please have exact change"
I don't know if it loves the hood so much as it tolerates it or doesn't mind it. I personal couldn't find myself loving something that blocked out my sight.
The photo is actually not on the net or a mag it is a photo i have from the nafa meet last year but i will try to find a scaner and put it up.. we will see
The old lakota was wise he said: "a mans heart away from nature grows cold"
Post by Master Yarak on Nov 5, 2004 0:48:41 GMT -5
I do not understand why anyone would not hood train their bird. Having a hood trained bird is invaluable. It is mandatory for all my apprentices. It is a requirement to have one in Tx to get a license. Their are few things I am absolutely sure of this is one of them...If you practice falconry long enough and your bird is not hood trained their will be Time you wished it was. I just don't understand why you would not. Yarak
Last Edit: Nov 5, 2004 0:49:30 GMT -5 by Master Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
I do not understand why anyone would not hood train their bird. Having a hood trained bird is invaluable. It is mandatory for all my apprentices. It is a requirement to have one in Tx to get a license. Their are few things I am absolutely sure of this is one of them...If you practice falconry long enough and your bird is not hood trained their will be Time you wished it was. I just don't understand why you would not. Yarak
Because my sponsor told me not to!
I think i mentioned this on an earlier post, but Mike McDermott has collected some data and has determined from these data that hooding RTs is directly related to agressive bevaior in those same RTs. He strongly urged the apprentices at the August workshop NOT to use hoods. I guess we have a difference of opinion here between two masters. The thing is that My sponsor agrees with Mike. Being the good apprentice i am, i follow my leader's advice.
I don't know if it loves the hood so much as it tolerates it or doesn't mind it. I personal couldn't find myself loving something that blocked out my sight.
Since the Lanner Falcon goes to schools she loves the hood, it makes all the kids go away ! Considering she will lean into it at times I do feel as though she at least likes it some of the time.
" Insanity takes its toll..........please have exact change"