My new hunting partner-Video Added

[4x4]

I got fascinated with the art of falconry earlier in the year. Deer hunting(for me)has just gotten...boring. Plus, this is something my wife and I can enjoy together. There are a few things you must have to become a falconer in the U.S. First, and most important, is to have a wife that is VERY understanding and supportive. I am very blessed to have that! It took 6 months worth of studying, test taking, building facilities, an inspection by a game warden, and obtaining a sponsor who is a general or master falconer to become one myself as an apprentice.

This is Katniss, a 1020 gram female passage redtail hawk. I have had her for 5 full days and I hope within another 2 or 3 weeks she will be free flying at game.

The first pic was the first time she stood on the fist, she was pretty stressed being freshly caught. Within 6 hours she had calmed down and began accepting tidbits from me. Now, 5 days later, she perches well on the glove, knows "step up" and "turn around", and last night was a big step, she jumped from her perch to the glove. Next I will have her on short flights inside the house. Then her training will go outside. Thanks for looking!

 

[Monty4x4]

WOW! What a beautiful creature!

 

[sea trout]

That is facinating!!! Beautiful bird!!!
Please keep updates on this one

 

[mizuno24jad]

That would be awesome! Would love to see more updates as you progress

 

[Joe Brandon]

Wow that is awesome! I have a red shouldered mccaw but they are totally different creatures. I love birds! And you have a beautiful one!

 

[ucfireman]

Awesome, There was a teacher, Mr. Volpe when I was in school that was a falconer. He would do a demo every so often. Falconry is an awesome sport. Beautiful bird.

 

[mossyoakpro]

Call me ignorant but when you say "Freshly caught" does that mean you trapped her in the wild or just picked her up from another falconer? Again...sorry if that sounds ignorant.

Stuff like this is fascinating to me....

 

[biker13]

I was at Berry College and kept finding marbles in the log roads.Later saw a game warden and showed him the marbles I had picked up.He chuckled when I told him there must have been old homestead or something.He said
"No the falconers shoot marbles from a flip at squirrel nests and squirrels hiding so they will move and the hawks can see them."

 

[4x4]

Call me ignorant but when you say "Freshly caught" does that mean you trapped her in the wild or just picked her up from another falconer? Again...sorry if that sounds ignorant.

Stuff like this is fascinating to me....

Freshly trapped from the wild! We trapped 5 hawks that morning and she was the heaviest and had the largest feet. Don't sound ignorant at all sir! She was hatched out this year probably late march or April.

I was at Berry College and kept finding marbles in the log roads.Later saw a game warden and showed him the marbles I had picked up.He chuckled when I told him there must have been old homestead or something.He said
"No the falconers shoot marbles from a flip at squirrel nests and squirrels hiding so they will move and the hawks can see them."

Your right. We use slingshots to move squirrels in trees so the hawk can position themselves to strike.

 

[4x4]

We trapped her on the 2nd of this month. Within 9 days I have her flying 40 ft on the creance.

The first clip is her hopping to the glove for the first time. Notice the hesitation. Next clip is at the end of the lesson. She jumps without hesitation. Next, hopping just a little further with one or two wing beats. Then, a 12 ft flight inside my home. I was a little hesitant myself taking her outside, but she did great. Flew 40 ft at least 10 times. I am hoping within 2 more weeks max, she will be free flying at squirrels!

 

[Dep6]

Wow, that is awesome!!

 

[Nugefan]

way too cool ....

 

[sea trout]

Wow that's impressive! Would love to see more videos on the progression.