Squirrel Hunting Photos (And a duck)
12-12-2011, 08:07 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 311
That is really cool that you are hunting with a falcon. I have always wanted to go with a guy who had one just to watch the bird in action. Did you train it yourself? I have seen a hawk catch a mouse but I think it would be cool to use a hawk to hunt with. By the way did I mention that it is cool to use a falcon to hunt with.
12-13-2011, 07:18 AM
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Montana
Posts: 6
That is really cool that you are hunting with a falcon. I have always wanted to go with a guy who had one just to watch the bird in action. Did you train it yourself? I have seen a hawk catch a mouse but I think it would be cool to use a hawk to hunt with. By the way did I mention that it is cool to use a falcon to hunt with.
Although falcons are also hunted (primarily used for feathered quarry), my bird is actually a Red-tail hawk (good for rabbits & squirrels). If you’re ever up in Montana you’re more that welcome to join us out hunting.
Also, I’m not sure where in Texas you’re located but there are quite a few very good falconers throughout the state & they’re always looking for someone to help flush rabbits & squirrels. As far as training goes, I didn’t have to train her to hunt as she already instinctively knew all about that. I did however have to teach her to return to me when called, follow me as I flush game for her & wait on a kill for me to arrive. When hunting, my job is to find the squirrel & keep it in the tree while she chases it down. It’s similar to a hunter & hunting dog type of relationship accept in our case I’m the dog.
12-13-2011, 04:45 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: West Chicago, Il
Posts: 1,081
That is wicked awesome! My father-in-law's best friend was a falconer, & I had meant to ask him to consider apprenticing me, but he passed away before I got the chance. I would still LOVE to do it, but can't commit the time @ this stage in life. Maybe when the nest is empty?
12-13-2011, 08:17 PM
#6
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Montana
Posts: 6
Thanks for the kind words guys. It really is quite a bit of fun. We had two more chases today. She missed the first one but made up for it by hitting the second squirrel mid air as it was jumping from one tree to another. Little girl has the heart of a lion.
Vince, the time commitment is pretty significant for falconry. Unlike ones trusty old rifle that just needs a cleaning before being put away until the next hunt, raptors require maintenance 365 days a year. Just recognizing your time limitations puts you ahead of many guys that try jumping into the sport. So get past the hectic family stuff & when time allows, have another look into it. It might be right up your alley.
Vince, the time commitment is pretty significant for falconry. Unlike ones trusty old rifle that just needs a cleaning before being put away until the next hunt, raptors require maintenance 365 days a year. Just recognizing your time limitations puts you ahead of many guys that try jumping into the sport. So get past the hectic family stuff & when time allows, have another look into it. It might be right up your alley.
12-13-2011, 09:12 PM
#8
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Montana
Posts: 6
The one downer was the squirrel ended up giving her a pretty good bite to one of her toes. I got it cleaned up, hit it with antibiotic & it doesn't look too bad but she'll be grounded for a couple of days to heal.
12-14-2011, 07:13 PM
#10
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Montana
Posts: 6