hi, reasearched for a long time how to train a pup for falconry, and what to consider when geting one, but found nothing. so i would love to know anyones experience, advice and instructions
Your research was inadequate in my opinion. A Google search only takes you so far. The local library will have a decent book on hunting dogs. Start there. Western sporting and mikes falconry have many great choices... Most of falconry books I possess have a chapter on dogs. If you are still at the "what dog to get" stage I recommend the Oakes book on Rabbit hawkers dogs, or North American falconry and hunting Hawks for long wings.
Lastly, do most of the falconers in your area that hunt the game you hunt benefit from the use of a dog? I have seem a great field full of jack rabbits flushed too far from the falconer because the dog was ranging too far afield. They would likely not bumped just by a person walking until much closer.
Any dog that hunts or even tags along in the field can be acclimated to a hawk. The dog needs to be part of the manning process for the hawk, they build a trust barrier with them about as quick as they do us. If your dog of choice is good at flushing game, the hawk will learn that and anticipate the dog working for their benefit.
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
Any dog that hunts or even tags along in the field can be acclimated to a hawk. The dog needs to be part of the manning process for the hawk, they build a trust barrier with them about as quick as they do us. If your dog of choice is good at flushing game, the hawk will learn that and anticipate the dog working for their benefit.
I don't really agree with that. If a dog is not introduced to birds early in life they may never get used to them. I've seen a few JRs that the owners had before that had a bird and when the tried introducing the dog to the bird, the dog wanted to kill the birds. Some the owners were able to get the dog to accept the bird but I've also seen a few that I would never trust with a bird on the ground. My suggestion would be to make sure you have a bird when you get a puppy and have the puppy around any time you work with the bird.
Any dog that hunts or even tags along in the field can be acclimated to a hawk. The dog needs to be part of the manning process for the hawk, they build a trust barrier with them about as quick as they do us. If your dog of choice is good at flushing game, the hawk will learn that and anticipate the dog working for their benefit.
I don't really agree with that. If a dog is not introduced to birds early in life they may never get used to them. I've seen a few JRs that the owners had before that had a bird and when the tried introducing the dog to the bird, the dog wanted to kill the birds. Some the owners were able to get the dog to accept the bird but I've also seen a few that I would never trust with a bird on the ground. My suggestion would be to make sure you have a bird when you get a puppy and have the puppy around any time you work with the bird.
Both of my adult dogs seemed to have done fine, my sponsor's spaniels meet a new feathered partner every other season and do fine. Packs of beagles, pointers, another friends Belgian Malinois, and My friends Brit that I have hunted with, regularly meet and work with new passage Hawks. In fact , I suspect Any falconer who owns a dog doesn't stop using them at one hawk or falcon. Yes, care should be given during the introduction and manning of the two, even in the field there must always be an expected amount of control over the dogs. Some use e collars others rely on commands. They can get excited and over run a hawk. My current Vizsla has had a hawk, attach to his face for no reason. He was lying down and my first RT decided he needed a loving touch during a creance flight. My Viz didn't develop any adverse habits with Hawks from it, he just gives them a wide area now. That hawk, never would accept him in the field though. He would fly away from him every outing. My next RT, a female flew with him in the woods, without raising a feather. 2 seasons later, My female HH, would yell at him if he came within 10 feet of me holding a t perch in the fields. She never attacked him or flew away- just let him know he was violating her air space . My current MHH, her brother, will eat a meal, nose to nose with Josey like they were nest mates, they were introduced when Merle ( HH) was 16 months old, and Josey Wales ( viz) was 7 years old. If Josey makes a sudden move, Merle will open his wings but isn't aggressive towards him in the slightest.
As for the Hawks reaction to the dog, some just refuse to hunt with one in the field, regardless of exposure during manning or the molt.
Mark, I agree some older dogs shouldn't be trusted around Hawks. I have friends with dogs I wouldn't trust for a second around my Hawks. and it's on the owner to know wether their dog has the proper training to refrain from such occurrences. Never leave your hawk and dog free around each other, outside your immediate supervision.
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
Post by Falcon Boy on Dec 21, 2015 15:02:56 GMT -5
So just my .02 from limited experience.
There is often a big difference between a gamey terrier and a bird dog. Terriers are (well, were) bred to kill vermin, bird dogs are bred to point. Those are very different instincts and hunting protocols. I would think that nearly any dog when properly introduced and trained could work with a falconry bird. That said, it is probably easier to properly train from the puppy stage with a bird around than to try and do it with an adult dog. But many adult dogs can be trained to be just fine around the birds.
Whatever you do, as an apprentice would really recommend not training a new dog and your first bird at the same time.
Last Edit: Dec 21, 2015 15:03:27 GMT -5 by Falcon Boy
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
well, there are no falconers in my area, and nothing in the libruaries, and im not shure i will be able to become one in my country, but in just asking out of curiosity, how do you train one?
And i might sound like a complete noob, but thats what i am right now:D . what i meant was, how to you train a dog to locate your raptor at the end of the hunt. I imagine that the bird catches something you wont be able to see it
And i might sound like a complete noob, but thats what i am right now:D . what i meant was, how to you train a dog to locate your raptor at the end of the hunt. I imagine that the bird catches something you wont be able to see it
No worries, that's what research is for - learning!
Generally dogs are used for finding game, rather than finding the bird. For finding the bird - it depends what kind of bird you're flying and where you're flying. Many times you see the bird catch the quarry. But there is also something called telemetry, which is a radio tracking system that will help you find the bird. The bird wears a small transmitter and you carry a small receiver.
Last Edit: Jan 3, 2016 11:03:55 GMT -5 by Falcon Boy
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Watch your hawk while it hunts, that's how most falconers found their birds, in the 3,000 years before telemetry. Most people fly Hawks with bells, and locating them is the reason for that.
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
i heard of of it, but i love to rely on technology as little as possible, so is there no way to be able to locate the bird easly without telementry?
Most people use bells on medium and larger birds. They work well as long as the bird is moving and is close enough for you to hear. Keep in mind things like wind, rain, and cars can make it hard to hear at times depending on when/where you're flying. Telemetry is more of a 'just in case'. The amount of time you actually need telemetry will depend on where and what you're flying. With redtails it is rarely needed, same with harris hawks. But the first time your bird grabs a squirrel 100ft up and glides 200yards to the ground in the dense woods you'll be glad you have it!
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
