Greetings From Pakistan.

[Choctalpur]

Hello everyone, I'm a falconer from Pakistan. A land that has been subject to terrorism for a long time now. Anyways, having started falconry for about 3 years now, I have been lucky enough to fly a RNS and a lugger. The upcoming season, i wish to preferably fly a Shikra, Red headed merlin, and a lugger yet again.

Regards. ATB. Choc.

[Venomlust]

Welcome to the forum, Zafar!

Very interested in hearing about your falconry adventures in your country. And be ready, we will soon be demanding pictures of your birds. It will happen! Be ready :D.

[California Native]

Welcome,

I hope you will post some photos of your falconry equipment and birds. Would also be nice to see some of your country if you have photos.

[Betelgeuse]

Welcome. I am also looking forward to seeing some photographs of your birds and also wild birds. Also looking forward to hearing about your hunting.

[Big Foot]

Great to see so many cultures represented on this forum.
Please share with us some of Pakistans falconry traditions.
I am sure you do things just a little different. And photos!
What do you typically fly your birds at?

[borderhawk]

Glad to see you here! And, forgive my ignorance, but what's an RNS?

[Tanner]

Michelle - Red-naped shaheen.

[borderhawk]

Ah, I'm sure if I'd thought about it enough I would've figured that out.. haha!

[Joan Marie]

Hello from Alabama! Looking forward to hearing about your techniques, personal stories, quarry, equipment, and pictures! Did I mention pictures? (welc)

[Choctalpur]

Wow, that's one warm welcome. Cheers everyone.

The kind of terrain that we have here in Pakistan is quite dynamic, and falconers hunt with different birds with different techniques. The most popular bird of prey here though is The Goshawk, followed by Peregrines & Sakers. A vast no. of falconers often hunt with Spars and the local Shikra(a. badius). The birds here are caught passage, and we have no breeding facilities here. We also have different quarries ranging from Houbara Bustard, upland birds and waterfowl, to ground quarry like hare.

I've been flying my falcons on feral pigeons only. My uncle, a seasoned falconer, also my mentor, fly Goshawks on partridge. This year, i plan to fly my lugger on crows and egret. I know falconry is a vast field, and i'm only standing quite far at the shores of this ocean waiting to dip my feet.

Here are a few photos of my and my falcons.

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/Picture015.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/Picture021.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/DSC04750.jpg

Regards. Choc.

[sharptail]

Welcome aboard Choc! Thanks for taking the time to post pictures. Lovely Red Nape!

[Tanner]

Can you tell us the history of that red-nape (where it was trapped and what it's weight was?) Did you see it chasing anything in the wild before you trapped it?

Cheers,
Tanner

[michaelberan]

Hello and welcome

I'm very interested in the RNS myself, tell us more, small details

[Choctalpur]

Cheers for liking the photos. I'm flattered.

The RNS is a cute, but tenacious bird indeed. The one that i had was a terciel, and was around 400gms. Couldn't do much with it as it died on me during its training. Here's a shot of the bird with me ...

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/DSC04769.jpg

[California Native]

Zafar,

Thank you for posting some photos. It is a chance for us here to see what the country is like where you are. I am interested in the falconry equipment used there. I am wondering if most falconers there make their own ? What is the hood style most used there ? Indian, Dutch or Arab styles ?

Can you show the hoods you use and tell where they come from ?

[Red-tail71]

Welcome Zafar! Thanks for the photos and good luck this year! Take care!

[Choctalpur]

Dan, the hood style vary from bird to bird. For falcons, mostly Arab and Dutch hoods are preferred, whereas for the hawks, the traditional indian hood is used and is made by the austingers themselves. Here's a photograph of a Goshawk hood that i have.

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/06-_MG_2018.jpg

Pakistan is a big exporter of cost effective and rugged Falconry products. Everything from hood, leashes, gloves, to perches are made here in the local cottage industries. They are mainly exported to the gulf states where there's a niche market.

I'll also post some photos of the leashes and jesses that i have that belong and used exclusively in Sind province of Pakistan, which is where I live.

Regards. CHoc.

[Choctalpur]

Some leashes that are favorites here ....

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/09-_MG_1997.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/07-_MG_1996.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/08-_MG_2000.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/10-_MG_1998.jpg

Jesses.

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/04-_MG_2010.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/05-_MG_2014.jpg

Gloves.

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/02-_MG_2007.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/03-_MG_2008.jpg (Micheal Jackson glove eh?!)

It's different for you guys. I hope you like em ...

[Tom Smith]

Amazing

[California Native]

Thank You. I have not seen leashes made this way and with such ornate colors and design.
I would love to see the jesses, leashes on a falcon on one of the gloves you show. Are these used for special occassions ? When a festival is occuring ?

[Choctalpur]

Thank you tom for liking the pictures.

Yes Dan, the equipment is used in festivals and gatherings. Here's a photo of my friend carrying Goshawk wearing the very same glove,

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/choctalpur/1-DSC00123.jpg

Regards. Choc.

[Kentucky J]

Thank you very much for the photos. It is always a treat to see how things are different and still so much the same.

[allredone]

Indeed. Falconry is a great international language.

Nice looking goshawk! Do you know where these migrants come from? Where do they nest? Whitin Packistan or further north?

[SoaringHigh]

I'd love to buy a leash like that.

[eminart]

Love the photos! And it's great to see people on the other side of the world practicing the same obscure hobby that we are. Although, I think it is more mainstream in Pakistan than it is here.

[corona]

Hi Zafar, my name is John Strazicich. I welcome your introduction and the presentation of your birds and equipment. I have purchased falconry equipment from two different Pakistani businesses now. Both large orders. We have been pleased with nearly all that has been sent. I plan on continuing with these sellers. We as Americans love to hear of falconers in different countries. We love to see and hear all that you are doing. That leash was very ornate. thanks for sharing