Me too !! Ppl are very fond of telling me that you can't hunt ducks with RTs. But i've read to many stories to buy that without exception. I think it can be done. Perhaps not as successfully as with a Gos, but it could be fun!
There was an artical in "American Falconry" a while back. This is what i remember: -male RT's are faster, therefore giving them a small advantage over a Female - You must get the hawk WAY the hell up in a tree right above the pond before the ducks flush. -the bird is usually taken on the flush.
Thats all i can remember, not 100% sure all that is correct
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Just one of my goals for this fall. I had a friend at collage who claimed that his male RT often took ducks. I tried last year but the summer was so hot that a lot off the ponds dried up and the birds went south early. Chris. PS we tried for ruff grouse last year as well but they were to skiddish and took off before she got a good look at them and once they got in to the thick brush they were impossible to reflush where i wanted them. I NEED A DOG!!!!
I have also heard that the male Redtail is faster than the female and more suited to ducks. I was told it is best to avoid big water because the duck will return over the water when it sees the hawk. The best hunting would be several small ponds fairly close together as there would be a good chance the duck would continue on to next pond after the flush when it sees the hawk giving the hawk a chance to hit it over land.
That's the prescription Mike. One of my friends is a longwinger and flies his birds exclusively at ducks. The falcon will makea pass over the pond "pinning" the ducks, then it will climb. When the falcon reaches the right pitch, you flush the ducks. The problems is that once the ducks see the falcon, they really don't want to leave the safety of the pond. We had to chunk rocks at one floatilla to get them out of the water. When they do fly, the falcon stoops and... WHAM! Awesome site. I'm thinking that the site of an RT high up in a tree might keep the birds pinned a little to hard. A good flushing water dog would help. The teircel RTs are faster, but the hens are stronger. I have heard stories saying that both sexes can be succesful. I may have to try it after my apprenticeship. I'm from Mo., you have to show me that it can't be done!
Post by Falcon Boy on Apr 10, 2004 22:41:00 GMT -5
well they mob from what i hear, one gets caught, they all attack. Geese are mean. I was attacked by 1 when i was 4. Don't ask unless ya want a long story
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
bin there myself FB that was over thirty years ago and I still have a mark. Not only are small ponds a good mark but small meandering streams so that the duck cann't fallow it directly. i have seen photos of geese taken by red tail. As for BOb's statement I got the same advice was given to me by a master falconer when i talked about hunting crows he thought I was refurring to using my one eyed RT for crows he said nothing ventured nothing gained.Although i'd have to be vary seeky about and then gave me some additional advice. anyway I agree show me it can't be done so i can try to do it another way. ps choose geese that are alone and ouot of the water grazing.
Like i've said before, i would love to hunt ducks with a bop. I'd rather do it with a falcon or a gos, but it would be nice if i could start with a RT.
geese "school" for protection plus the serated beaks don't help. When geese are migrating and dies or falls 2 other geese will follow it down to protect it till it can fly again or they are sure its died.