I was talking with my sponser the other day when he told me about a friend's HH breaking it's leg in a fight with a squirrel. Said he never hunts squirrels because they bite and fight like crazy. Anyways, it put him back a couple months. Least the bird will be OK.
I think that the Red Tails distribution across the U.S. in hardwood forests make it a better bird for squirrels. Not to mention it has bigger feet too.
I think there is a reason that the Harris is only in tropical areas of the southwest. Climate is a big part of that but also it has evolved and adapted to the prey available to those areas.
Squirrels are risky prey no matter what you fly though.
Last Edit: Oct 5, 2007 10:14:58 GMT -5 by miket307
“Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.”
Post by jfneumann57 on Oct 5, 2007 13:26:25 GMT -5
Harris' if you fly them at a higher weight should be ok though there is of course still a risk. I've lost over a dozen squirrels in the past weeks because my guys won't hold on if they don't have it right.
08 season: 51squirrels 16 rabbits 43miscellaneous
I'm sorry, but you said "it's impossible" when you really meant "I don't know how yet".
Personally I wouldn't fly anything other than a redtail at squirrels, maybe a hen harris on cat squirrels but no way on foxes and even then i'd still be hesitant. I've heard of A LOT more lost toes and bad bites with harris's hawks on squirrels than redtails. I've never heard of a RT losing a toe to a squirrel bite, but i've heard of numerous harris's that have lost them.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Post by harrishawker on Nov 26, 2007 4:58:49 GMT -5
I have mixed feelings about a HH taking squirrels. I think if you have a young bird maybe some preperation first is what i would do with a HH In the wild would they take them? Yes i think they would. So how do you stop any BOP taking something that it would do in the wild? Once that bird leaves your fist its hunting instincts kick in. OK, if you wish you can cut down the risk by not taking it to squirrel areas but then are you not bordering on being a Pet Keeper?
After all a squirrel is a Rat . My mate has a 6 year old FHH and she is a master at them. Never been injured.
IMO i would try to perhaps stick to Baggies in your country with them in the first season so you are on hand straight away . Maybe even next season until the bird has a knowledge on them and then perhaps 3 rd season let them loose. But that's just my opinion. RT's........Straight away ;D
In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.
Post by Master Yarak on Nov 26, 2007 7:44:57 GMT -5
This sport is rife with risks. Injuries happen it is simply part of our sport. Weasel's bird hit a bright yellow concrete pillar and broke a wing. I have heard way more stories of impact damage than squirrel related injuries. Yes, squirrels do fight. Yes, they also bite and claw. In over 1,000 hunts Bane has had only one injury that required surgery. It happened to be a squirrel bite but it could have easily been something else. I do not think any less of anyone who chooses not to fly on squirrels. I simply dislike the idea that they are too risky.
Remember always the right tool for the job. 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
A sense of responsibility needs to be in place too in my opinion. Personally i don't agree with HH on squirrels very much, even less so male harris's. It's asking for disaster IMO.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.