It's not the first time and it probably won't be the last either. He is the type that simply wants to tell everyone that they are wrong. He thinks his.....well, you know what doesn't stink. He gets a might upset when I try and prove him wrong on some things or even try to argue his point(or lack there of). Most people know his ignorant attitude and ignore his comments anyway. Plus I didn't join that list to make friends, just to pick up info. The problem is that there is less and less info and more and more nonsence going around. It's like a chat group that accidentaly talks about falconry now and then. Noel
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Exactly! It was taking too much space in my mailbox. If it were a regular message board I might have stayed on 'cause it's easier to filter through the posts that way.
Funny how a thread on owls can shift gears so drastically, huh?
More years of experience and less restrictions of species to gain this experience. Less restrictions period. Follow this link www.discoverit.co.uk/falconry/index.htm Falconry in England includes owls unlike the U.S.A. which is restricted to the Great Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus)
Introduction to Falconry This is a half-day course during which we will introduce you to our birds and show you how to care for them. You will be shown how to pick up the bird, oil the jesses and attach the swivel. We will even teach you how to tie the Falconer's Knot! We will explain about the bird's diet, food preparation and housing and afterwards you can join one of our training or flying sessions.
Duration: 3 hours (although you will be welcome to spend the rest of the day with us at the Centre.)
Due to the popularity of this course, we would appreciate a few days notice.
Behind the Scenes This is an ideal holiday treat for children aged from 12 upwards to show exactly how our Bird of Prey Centre operates. You will be made an honorary member of staff for the day and will shadow one of our Falconers in his daily routine. You will watch and learn how the Flying Squad are weighed and handled. You will help to clean the mews and prepare the food for the birds. You will, also watch and learn (and maybe even assist) how we carry out our Flying Displays.
Duration: Either a full or half day (remember to bring a packed lunch)
Numbers are limited on this course, therefore advance booking is advised.
Children's Course A holiday treat for younger children aged 8 to 14 years. This short course is ideal for children interested in nature and birds in general. Children will learn how birds fly and hunt, and how feathers work. They will dissect an owl pellet and be introduced to an Owl, Falcon, Hawk, Buzzard or a Vulture. (Take a look at our Bookstore where you can buy an excellent introductory book for children).
Duration: 2 hours
Bird Managment Course This is a full or part day course for those who are interested in finding out what it takes to master the art of Falconry and Bird Management. This is designed to give a good all round introduction to falconry for those of you who would like to keep a bird of your own. During your day with us you will learn about Falconry, furniture, accommodation, bird handling, knots, training a bird for free flight, health and hygiene, and of course, choosing and buying a Bird of Prey. You will also gain some experience in flying one of our birds within our flying grounds.
Aged 14 years upwards.
Please take note of the ages, as young as eight. Many things they are doing with the paying public would be illegal under U.S. regulations and would require the courses to be restricted to people that. 1. are 14 years of age or older 2. have taken the falconry test and scored a minimum of 80% 3. have their sponsor present
As you can see by this site many countries are not as hampered with restrictions as we are. One would have to surmise that this fosters an environment for more experimentation without the constant threat of persecution or prosecution.
Another example of possibly why the British and the British isles have more experience. www.gleneagles.com/ search the site for FALCONRY the following is a quote from a woman that does not have a permit, license, or sponsor. My traveling companion was afraid of birds, so she passed on this activity. Too bad. For me it was one of the most exciting things I have ever tried. Opportunities to experience the thrill of falconry are not common. Rarer still is the opportunity to experience with all the comforts and refinements of true Scottish sporting hospitality. Falconry is probably the oldest and most aristocratic of sports and has fired the imagination of poets, princes and warriors. And it might be the only thing I have in common with poets, princes and warriors.
In the majestic setting and wild beauty of the Perthsire hills, it is incredible to watch your hawk swoop towards your gloved fist. There are so many delights for the senses to take in--the tinkle of soft bells, the heather scented air, the grasp of talons as the bird steadies to your hand, the folding of wings, and the brightness of the hawk's beady eye. This is the very stuff that falconry is made of and so few are lucky or privileged to experience it. And to me the glory of it all is you can get the full rush of excitement the very first time you try it…because the very well-trained bird does it all. I mean, the trainer was there to tell me what to do--the bird knew his job perfectly. My gloved hand was but another tree branch to him.
Unlike horseback riding where you get a sense of bonding and controlling your horse, in falconry, the bird makes almost all the decisions. And that's okay when you are on vacation.
I was really attracted to falconry. Maybe because it is a bit like massage. You put out your arm and someone else does all the work. That is my kind of sport.
If you read the whole site as I have you will see that some countries are promoting falconry where as in this country I would say quite a few are trying to restrict the growth and maintain the elitism of their hobby, sport, art.
more sites on the GHO markfabrizio.com/owl/ some photos are fuzzy but very discernable. A super site on all things owl. www.owlpages.com/ If you look around you will be rewarded with a "call" page with different sounds the GHO makes. Excellent photos. Overall I rate the owlpages link a 5 on a 5 point scale. From Atlanta GA Female Master falconer, rehaber etc. Monteen McCord www.hawktalk.org/index.htm Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Striking in appearance with yellow eyes and ear tufts, one of the nicknames of the Great Horned Owl is "flying tiger" and they have certainly earned that reputation! Because hunger is a strong motivator, (and because they CAN), the substantially larger female has been known to attack prey including Roe deer, bobcat and porcupine. Skunk is a favorite meal because Great Horned Owls don't have a sense of smell. Very few birds have olefactory lobes developed to allow this sense which is so vital in many other species of animal. However, shore birds, some scavengers, and the Kiwi from New Zealand have the ability to smell.
The Great Horned Owl is a fearsome aerial predator and is the only Eagle Owl of the America's. Although they don't migrate, except for the northernmost, their breeding range extends from the Arctic tundra to Tierra Del Fuego. Great Horned Owls breed as early as January in many places. The babies need a lot of "hang time" in order to hone their hunting skills before being forced from the terrority by their parents in late fall. I think humans are the only animals that allow their children to return home! These are large birds and need lots of groceries to sustain them. The deep, melodious call of the Great Horned Owl is one of the best known sounds of the night woods. "Sam" called in two wild pair last winter. It was a real "Hootfest"!
I know this isn't about GHO but here in BC they are allowing Northern Hawk owls for falconry the reasoning for this I'm not sure has something to do with the governing body not knowing which owls are nocturnal and which are Diurnal and which live in the boarder areas. The hawk owl is listed as or better considered the only Diurnal owl in BC thow there was talk about allowing GHO.
Great photos of a gal and her owl at this site. www.flightoftheraptor.com Lots of Renaissance Festival pics great costumes! I have sent her an email in the hopes that she will be a guest Master falconer on the boards.
I beleive that the owl shown on this site is a Eurasian eagle owl. Note the orange eyes.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
PS. You can buy an eagle owl for around $4500 bucks. They are smart as owls go and weigh up to 9 lbs.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
4,500 LoL I think I will try my hand at a blue eyed eyess GHO first. I find one or two nests of them everytime I scout the dear blinds of south Texas in the spring! I also firmly believe in flying birds that would be geographicaly native to my region. Heat wise we get days over 100 that would eliminate the Snowy as well as a few other birds. jim
Sure beats the $25,000 for the darn ornate I want.....<sigh>.....
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."