I live in Frederick... I've always caught my RTs on rt340, or the back roads around 15N Thurmont area. Use a Gerbil...mice seem to stay still in the cold. 15N along the highway are usually haggard, but sometimes you can find a passage. So I try to stick by the catoctin mts on the backroads.
i agree, the leaves got to go! I think I know where every haggard red tail is in my neck of the woods. I started giving them names. I'll be back out today! Going to try some new areas i think. Wish me luck
i agree, the leaves have to start dropping. I stopped going out real early. Thought i'd change tactics and wait till it warmed up some. Perhaps more prey moving about for the birds. We'll see
Also, I know it's optimal to throw the trap right under the bird...but remember they have great vision, so don't chance spooking it. Best to have a kid or friend toss the trap for you as well if your driving or vice versa. I've had birds fly across acres and acres for my trap when there hungry. It will get easier as it gets colder and the the trees are more bare. Especially after a cold snap or snowfall. Cold means they are burning more calories to stay warm=hunger. Best to start early in the morning when they are out and hungry. Who is your sponsor? Oh I've also had some luck down towards and in union bridge ..at least that's where I was trapping back when I was an apprentice.
Last Edit: Oct 23, 2018 9:13:34 GMT -5 by cswann821
just got back from 2 hr hunt in Woodsboro, Thurmont area. Threw down on a bird on powerline by cactus flats bar. He came down and hovered for about 3 seconds then went up to the line again. No doubt he was coming back down but a guy on his riding mower saw me drop the trap from the car and came riding over to check it out. Killed that chance, it left the area. I'm still hot! Union Bridge, New Windsor,Liberty, that's my area. Master falconer Tomas Johann is my sponser. He's only 10 min. from me. Been a lot of help.
just got back from 2 hr hunt in Woodsboro, Thurmont area. Threw down on a bird on powerline by cactus flats bar. He came down and hovered for about 3 seconds then went up to the line again. No doubt he was coming back down but a guy on his riding mower saw me drop the trap from the car and came riding over to check it out. Killed that chance, it left the area. I'm still hot! Union Bridge, New Windsor,Liberty, that's my area. Master falconer Tomas Johann is my sponser. He's only 10 min. from me. Been a lot of help.
Just keep at it. We have a couple other falconers in the area... Paul Dubois lives in Thurmont, if you gave him a call , I'm sure he would be happy to chat and show off his falcons . Our numbers are on the sponsor list. I live near cactus flats over in lewistown by beckleys. I'm not flying a red tail this season...have a male kbird I'm working with, due to limited space at my parents home while saving up for a pair of Harris hawks...and a my first House. Lol Once u get hunting...if you need help flushing game send me a message, I can bring my kids to help too.
Hey guys I am from MD as well! How close are any of you to harford county? I am in the market looking for a red tail as well! I have always trapped for red tails on I-695 but since they are renovating all that we haven't seen as many there...
Two months of trying to trap a RT has come to an end. Got an awesome male (i think )today, 1072 g. Got him around 5:00 this evening. LET THE FUN BEGIN!!! I'll get a pic out when I can. What a feeling. It is my first you know! I picked his name out about 4 months ago. -- Pelli
Two months of trying to trap a RT has come to an end. Got an awesome male (i think )today, 1072 g. Got him around 5:00 this evening. LET THE FUN BEGIN!!! I'll get a pic out when I can. What a feeling. It is my first you know! I picked his name out about 4 months ago. -- Pelli
Congratulations. Working with the weight will give you a better idea of sex. That weight either it's a heavy male or a light female.
thanks for the congrats. trapped weight was 1072 g. He's down to 973 g. as of this morning. It's been a gradual decline. He has been eating from the fist since Sun. the 4th. Heart tidbits for now. He also likes to take tidbits from my bare hand. i hope this isn't a problem. He wants to eat it as i'm placing it on the glove. Am working on getting Pelli to step to the fist. He's stretching as far as he can, just won't jump. Maybe tomorrow! So, who's been out hunting this fall? Any stories to share? Nasty weather today!
Take care to try and not let him see you place bits from your bare hand to your glove. He may get snatchy for that hand if the opportunity presents itself.
Good advice for sure. I have been stroking his breast and feet areas during my manning sessions. He doesn't seem to take exception to it. He is quite calm when we are alone in the hawk house or basement. I'm happy with his progress to this point. Still have to be on my guard though. having trouble with my digital scale. I think i bought one that is too narrow/small. It wants to tip over too easily. attaching a perch to the scale is a problem also. Any suggestions? I need some ideas. Thanks!
That is awesome! I used epoxy to attach mine and hasn't given me any problems. Where did you get your scale? MY hunt has ended as well with a 1417g female that I trapped last Sunday. Had her eating 3 hours off the trap and is flying up to about 7ft now. How is yours doing? hopping yet?