Fun Hawking Weekend!

[KidK]

We got a few friends together this Friday and Saturday for some hawking in Mount Pleasant and St. Johns. There were many, many memorable flights.. Hawking was a bit tough with some thick cover still allowing the rabbits to make good on their escapes and high winds on Saturday. But, we prevailed with 5 rabbits in the bag for the 4 redtails and a cast of Harris hawks.

Friday afternoon, Nov 14th:

Chris Wysocki and Danni (once intermewed passage female redtail hawk), 1 cottontail in Mount Pleasant.

Joe Ballone and Mystic (passage female redtail, trapped September 16th, 2008), 1 cottontail rabbit in Mount Pleasant.

Saturday, Nov 15th

Joe Ballone and Mystic, 1 cottontail rabbit in St. Johns.

Jeff Alkier, Cooper (wirehair Visla) and Jager (three times intermewed passage male redtail hawk), 1 cottontail rabbit in St. Johns

Kenn Filkins and Sadie (first year chamber raised female Harris Hawk, with entertainment by Sam, first year chamber raised male Harris Hawk), 1 cottontail rabbit in St. Johns.

On Friday and Saturday, Caleb Strating flew his twice intermew, passage female redtail hawk Abby, but came up short on any rabbit kills, but not for lack of effort! That being said, Abby put on some of the most entertaining flights of the weekend. She flew strong both days and gave some amazing flights on Saturday in the windy conditions. Though Caleb said she is a bit out of shape this early in the season, she flew with the heart of a lion and was awesome to watch.

After a successful hunt on Friday, Chris Wysocki's redtail Danni flew like a champ the following day, but also came up short on any kills. The wind was blowing around 15 to 20 mph most of the day and challenged Danni in her attempts to catch a bunny. Though she pulled fur on a couple, she just could not stop one on Saturday. Everyone really enjoyed watching this hawk fly!

On Friday, Kenn Filkins flew his cast of first year Harris Hawks, Sadie and Sam. They enjoyed themselves immensely chasing and catching the plump voles in the fields of Mount Pleasant.

We guesstimate that we flushed around 70 rabbits in the two days of hawking.

Here are the hero shots!

Joe Ballone and Mystic


Joe Ballone and Sponsor Kenn Filkins


Mystic, Passage Female Redtail


The Crew (L-R) Caleb, Jason, Jeff, Ben, Joe w/ Mystic, Dan, Chris, Kenn, Dan, Ronni


The Crew (L-R) Ronni, Kory, Joe, Jason, Jeff w/ Jager, Dan, Dan, Chris, Caleb, Ben


The Crew (L-R) Dan, Joe, Jason, Kenn Filkins and Sadie, Ben, Dan, Caleb, Ronni, Chris


Caleb and Abby