Imprinting

[Falcon Boy]

Lee, before this year i was never one to ask for help. I always thought i could figure it out. Perhaps i am just stubborn. This was the first year i truly shut up and listened, and it was the best season I've had. The amount i learned by keeping my mouth shut and ears and brain open was amazing. I learned more about weight control this year than I ever thought possible. After all, who would have thought weight control was more than just a number?

EDIT_

I forgot to mention, the mind of an imprint is completely different than passage or CR.

Thanks Barry.

[John]

I'm no expert, but I've raised three imprints and my big suggestion would be to take your time with everything, especially feeding. The more it takes a while to get fed, just like hunting, the more the bird will be patient later on when you're hunting rather than switching to nasty mode when things don't go right. JMHO.

[Lee Slikkers]

I'm no expert, but I've raised three imprints and my big suggestion would be to take your time with everything, especially feeding. The more it takes a while to get fed, just like hunting, the more the bird will be patient later on when you're hunting rather than switching to nasty mode when things don't go right. JMHO.

John, I "think" I understand what you are saying / mean but can you clarify this just a touch more for me?

[John]

I mean these birds pick up on routines very quickly. So even if you're taking the bird to the food early on, they can still make a food connection if it happens too fast. I used a lot of bags with one of my imprint accips during early training and still ran into problems because I didn't make it enough like a hunt; i.e. a lot of walking around, extra time before the flush, making the bird patient and not expecting immediate food/bag. Sounds simple and I'm a little embarrassed to admit I made such a simple mistake, but it really was the one thing that caused me a lot of problems later.

[Tim Laycock]

For those that have imprinted accipiters by not following the recipe, what do you believe are key factors in rearing well-mannered, aggressive game hawks?

Socialise endlessly, control weight rigourously, fly hard every day the weather affords.

Other factors add polish but this is the bare bones of creating what you are asking for.

[Lee Slikkers]

I mean these birds pick up on routines very quickly. So even if you're taking the bird to the food early on, they can still make a food connection if it happens too fast. I used a lot of bags with one of my imprint accips during early training and still ran into problems because I didn't make it enough like a hunt; i.e. a lot of walking around, extra time before the flush, making the bird patient and not expecting immediate food/bag. Sounds simple and I'm a little embarrassed to admit I made such a simple mistake, but it really was the one thing that caused me a lot of problems later.

Thanks John, those thoughts and details were what I was searching for and they make perfect sense. I've been guilty of the same issue when trying to create a carhawking HH...made it too obvious and too fast. Live & learn I guess, about all we can do...

[wesleyc6]

Thanks John, those thoughts and details were what I was searching for and they make perfect sense. I've been guilty of the same issue when trying to create a carhawking HH...made it too obvious and too fast. Live & learn I guess, about all we can do...

Lee, I would be interesting in hearing more about the carhawking mistakes and what you saw. Start a new thread.............those boats can wait

[carlosR]

Great thread especially as it matured. I just think there are as many ways to raise and train hawks as people can dream up. Yes they all follow the some basic steps but what works for me may not work for you. Why? Because we, the falconer, are different not necessarily just the bird. I don't have the temperament to follow someone's recipe exactly to the letter. I like to tinker and explore the "what if's." Let alone the influence external factors such as hawking country, abundance of game, available hawking time, etc can have on our success.