Just bought a scale, t-perch or quark block?

[alessio]

Just purchased my first piece of falconry equipment, Ohaus Dial-O-Gram Triple Beam Balance 1650-WO 2610g x 0.1g.
I am still preapprentice (Cal DFG falconry packet is in the mail) but plan on flying an AK. Should I fit the scale with a T-perch or a quark slab?
I am so excited I want to buy everything now but am wondering if I should wait as I do not yet have a sponsor. Should the sponsor not approve of my equipment I'll have to buy all new stuff as new equipment would certainly be easier to acquire than a new sponse.
With that said and impatience growing stronger, here are the other items I would like to buy now:
Cazador Falconry Micro Raptor New Bird Special: cazadorfalconry.com/Pricing_and_Ordering.php
R-400 Telemetry Receiver
www.falconryoutfitters.com/communication-specialists-telemetry-receiver-r-400.html
Merlin-Systems Mini MX Transmitter
www.merlin-systems.com/falconry/transmitters/mini-mx-transmitter.html

Do you guys think any sponsor would dislike the above choices?

Thanks for any advice or suggestions,
- Jason

[Falcon Boy]

Hi Jason,
Looks like you've been doing some great research! That is a great scale, it should serve you quite well. As for the perch, there is a cheap, simple solution. If you take an empty Yoplait container and clean it very well, then put some turf over the top, it should clear a kestrel's tail. Other brands are not tall enough though. Total cost....<$1. I have also used t-perches or other plastic containers with turf on the top for the perching surface. It really doesn't matter too much as long as the bird will stay on it to get a reading and the surface is appropriate.

I don't like to attach perches to the scale because if the bird bates the scale will fall and probably break. If the perch is placed on top of the scale, then tared out, it should work just fine.




Now the other stuff you talked about:

Re: Cazador Falconry Micro Raptor New Bird Special:
Here I am a bit biased because it's my girlfriend who makes the equipment. But that said, I would not promote it all over this forum, NAFEX, and facebook if it was not good equipment. Honestly, she makes some awesome equipment, esp. for the micro birds. I would not put my reputation on the line (after ~10 years of being associated with this site) if that was not the case. If you want I can provide you with references before you order, just let me know.

Re: Telemetry:
With a kestrel, to be honest, I would not spend the money if money is tight. This would be something for your sponsor to discuss. If you have the money laying around, the R400 and Merlin Mini MX are an awesome set-up. Merlin transmitters are my preference, and i've had an R-400 for about 5-6 years without any issues. It's always been reliable. But truth be told, very few people fly kestrels with transmitters. They generally don't range very far but that will depend on your flight style. If you're field hawking it could be very helpful though.

[SkyRider]

I flew a kestrel and didn't bother with telemetry. Kestrels are pretty tiny as it is and your kestrel will generally stay close to you for most hunts.

As for FB's plug for Cazador Equipment, I'd second that. We've watched the hoods change over the years and be better and lighter than almost anything else out there. If FB is endorsing it, chances are it's a great bet.

As for perches, I had some left over PVC lying around and threw together a perch in a matter of minutes with some glue and zip ties. I attached mine to the scale itself but made it easy to break away to prevent the scale from going with it. Kestrel perches can be made easily with a little creativity and cheap materials.

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2013 13:11:12 GMT -5 SkyRider said:

I flew a kestrel and didn't bother with telemetry. Kestrels are pretty tiny as it is and your kestrel will generally stay close to you for most hunts.

As for FB's plug for Cazador Equipment, I'd second that. We've watched the hoods change over the years and be better and lighter than almost anything else out there. If FB is endorsing it, chances are it's a great bet.

As for perches, I had some left over PVC lying around and threw together a perch in a matter of minutes with some glue and zip ties. I attached mine to the scale itself but made it easy to break away to prevent the scale from going with it. Kestrel perches can be made easily with a little creativity and cheap materials.

He has to endorse it, if he doesnt he dont get any lol !!!

[Falcon Boy]

OK...even i laughed at that ....but realistically she has no idea what i post on the forums because she doesn't use them

In all honesty, I would not put my reputation on the line if it was crappy equipment. It's not like there is a large profit margin or anything like that. Her prices are lower than anyone elses out there for hoods and the braided equipment's cost is comparable.

Like I said, if anyone wants references before ordering just let me know and I can refer you to people who have purchased equipment who don't use the forum.

[chrismt89]

I agree with Steve =P But honestly I have seen the hoods made for kestrels from Cazador Equipment and I would recomend it 100%. I personaly dont have the R400 but I know a few people who do and love it. As too the merlin transmitter I have no base to talk about it as Ive never used one. Looks like you are doing great research keep up the good work and good luck!

[Deleted]

All joking aside , i have a Cazador thats she gave me and its very well made. Yet to use it but one day !

[alessio]

Thank you all for your help. I wasn't sure about telemetry for AKs. Of all the online journals and posts I've read dealing with AKs only two or three Falconers used telemetry. It made me wonder if AKs just weren't viewed as important as other raptors or if the added weight hindered success. Were you guys saying that they don't tail chase often enough to get lost or do they stay close to the Falconer for protection from predators?
Another thing I was wondering about, I boxed a bit when i was younger and I would wear ankle and wrist weights when I sparred. It sure made me feel lighter, faster and stronger in a fight. Does that work with raptors? Do people add non food weight to their birds during lure flights or jump ups to make the bird a rocket on quarry?

[echotadog]

I have (and use 3-4 days a week) A Cazador Hood on my RT and it fits perfectly, looks great & my hawk prefers it over other hoods . She does great work and you will definitely get your money's worth out of her craft .

[Falcon Boy]

Feb 26, 2013 19:55:34 GMT -5 alessio said:

Thank you all for your help. I wasn't sure about telemetry for AKs. Of all the online journals and posts I've read dealing with AKs only two or three Falconers used telemetry. It made me wonder if AKs just weren't viewed as important as other raptors or if the added weight hindered success. Were you guys saying that they don't tail chase often enough to get lost or do they stay close to the Falconer for protection from predators?
Another thing I was wondering about, I boxed a bit when i was younger and I would wear ankle and wrist weights when I sparred. It sure made me feel lighter, faster and stronger in a fight. Does that work with raptors? Do people add non food weight to their birds during lure flights or jump ups to make the bird a rocket on quarry?

I don't think it's an issue of importance with AK's and telemetry, it's more the weight and their flight style. Most people only carhawk with them and they don't usually go very far when you do that. If you field hawk them i would use telemetry if you can afford it.

Re: weights. Some people do use weighted leashes for 'weight training' type stuff. Personally I don't. A birds' speed is determined by it's wing shape and it's chest muscles which power them. When people add weight, they add it in the form of a leash (the marketed model is called the 'launcher leash', available from northwoods falconry). I personally think there is too much risk of injury with that kind of set up, but some people claim it is effective. Here is an old discussion that has a lot of information. apfalconry.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=managment&action=display&thread=2832&page=1

[SkyRider]

Feb 26, 2013 15:09:35 GMT -5 @steveouk said:

Feb 26, 2013 13:11:12 GMT -5 SkyRider said:

He has to endorse it, if he doesnt he dont get any lol !!!

;D Best comment I've seen in a while!

As for telemetry, most kestrel flights I've seen are short and they rarely fly out of eyesight (although they can hide in tall grass if you are out in it). The more you read and learn about kestrels, the better you'll be able to make your own decision.

[alessio]

Ha, I was going to ask if a backpack with stainless steel shot sewn in would add chest muscle and then remembered I don't even know what ratio of bone to meat is recommended for their diet, or if you should mince bone for them at all. Asking questions about trig before I'm done with fractions.
Will order the Cazador New Bird Special next.
Thanks guys. Back to reading.

[Falcon Boy]

Feb 27, 2013 0:34:56 GMT -5 alessio said:

Ha, I was going to ask if a backpack with stainless steel shot sewn in would add chest muscle and then remembered I don't even know what ratio of bone to meat is recommended for their diet, or if you should mince bone for them at all. Asking questions about trig before I'm done with fractions.
Will order the Cazador New Bird Special next.
Thanks guys. Back to reading.

Feeding a whole food diet (e.g., mice & sparrows for a kbird) takes care of that. No need to mince bone or anything like that, although larger bones should be broken so the hawk doesn't swallow them whole. I know of a bird that died because it ate too large of a bone (which in all honesty, wasn't that large) which then got stuck between the crop and the stomach. It may have been a freak 1:100000000 type of accident but i don't risk it.

With a kestrel you shouldn't have to worry about it, mouse bones are pretty tiny. But if you decide to fly a larger bird and feed quail or rabbit or anything, when sizing the tidbits i just make sure that the larger bones are broken into managable pieces. It will amaze you what birds will try and eat.

[alessio]

Thank you Sir. You guys are filling my notebooks up!

[oregonrt]

Sort of an old thread, but I wanted to add something!

I got the new bird special from Cazador for my future male AK.
Granted I haven't used it on a bird yet, but it is great looking equipment.
I like how the leash system works, the jesses are incredibly light, and the hood is awesome! I have other sets of jesses, leashes and even another hood- they look huge and clunky compared to this quality equipment.
One thing I do have to mention is that the button on the leash is too small for my small Sampo swivels, but it works with the Creance clip and fishing swivel type. I plan to either add a small leather button or use the other clip when tethering to the perch inside. The Jess buttons are perfect for the anklet grommets.

Anyways- just wanted to throw that little (unbiased and unpaid, haha) endorsement out there for the new bird setup from Cazador falconry.