Originally Posted by
FredFogg
I don't know the guy or anything about him, but man, why do folks sling their birds up into trees. I went to a falconry presentation at The Homestead in VA several years ago and the woman they had doing the presentation had a harris hawk that she would sling up toward a barn loft and the bird would fly up there and then she would have us get in a row and have the bird fly between us all. It was all really cool for the folks there, but all I could think of why does she have to sling the bird by its jesses. It has probably done this a thousand times and probably would fly up there on its own. I always just let my birds leave the fist when they are ready and haven't ever had a problem with one just sitting there. Do other falconers do this and do they think it is ok? I just don't get it! No one I hunt with does this although I have seen a few folks in our Guild do it but I usually just keep my mouth shut and don't ask them why? I guess one is braver on a forum than face to face! LOL