08 Tiercel Gos

[laj]

There was a delay in shipping and arriving, but I finally receive my Gos from Lance Christensen @10:30 tonight. He didn't seem too eager to meet right out of the crate but settled down rather quickly. After I prepare his bowl I weighed him at 652 grams empty (last meal was 10 hours ago). Put his covered food in his bowl and let him settle down. After a few minutes of him watching my sons RC car zooming by and distracted I remove the towel covering his food. Then my son and I watch from a few ft distance when he realize there is food and began to feed himself about 3 ounces of chopped quail. I'll find out his hatch date tomorrow morning but I think he is around 25 days old. I also need to build some sort of imprint box because he is already getting out and walking a lot and the wife already gave me THE look. So it begins...

still in the crate
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00031.jpg
in his bowl but he is old enough to get out
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00032.jpg
that is a standard size tennis ball
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00034.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00035.jpg

[tumble]

Awesome! (which means "jealous" in falconry speak)

I do feel bad for you guys who get "the look." :)

[KidK]

Ling,

Congratulations dude! How exciting!

You will have a great time raising this little guy and having kids around only helps!

Here is a link to the photo of the "imprint tank" I use in my living room..

http://www.nafex.net/showthread.php?t=2543

[John]

Good looking bird! Is he a NA or finnish or hybrid? Have fun!

[laj]

Confirmation from Lance this morning that my boy hatched on May 14th making him 26 days old today and he was imprinted since day one.

Thanks Tom, the look wasn't so bad as it has been downgraded from "the stare." She actually help move him to the kitchen this morning when I was still asleep to get more socialization. My wife is taking this better than I thought.

Kory, thanks for all the how-to thread pertaining to gos, it's giving me a lot of ideas. I am going to start on an imprint tank just like yours.

John, he is a Finnish and I will definitely have fun with him.

[FredFogg]

Ling,

Just got home from the mtns and saw this! CONGRATS! He looks great! So excited (jealous as hell) for you! Can't wait to watch this thread and see him turn into a killing machine.

[laj]

Thanks Fred! Mark those duck areas for me and I'll be sure to head your way when he is ready.

Day 26 was just an all around lazy day with him laying down most of the day. Had to take him to work so I can do the ritual feedings and Jon, another falconer came by work to check him out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00036.jpg

Day 27
Before doing the hide and seek feeding he weighed in at 675 grams empty 7:30 this morning. He is more active today, stretching and flapping his wing. Tail feather is now about 2 inches. Scott, a falconer buddy came by to see the new bird and Robert (the third falconer) and his grand kids will come by this afternoon. This nameless bird is getting popular.

[laj]

So relief to get this tank done today as she is making a mess outta the storage bin I had her in the last few days. Now I can relax around the house and not worry too much about him or what he is getting himself into. I'll add a screen top when it becomes necessary...probably in a couple of weeks. I left him hungrier than I thought when I fed him around 2pm today. I stuck my hand in to pet him and he ran over with a light scream and bit my hand a few times.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00040.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00039.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00038.jpg

[FredFogg]

Ling,

Not sure how the gos guys do it, hopefully they will chime in, but I never left my coops without food with her at this stage. So she never got hungry. So if you can, always have food available. You don't ever want the bird getting hungry..........yet! What do you imprint guys think?

Oh yeah, great looking imprint tank! A little suggestion, tape up newspaper on 3 sides and leave the one facing out without it. It will make clean up a lot easier, you just switch out the newspaper ever couple days. Otherwise, you will be carrying the entire thing outside to wash out every couple days. LOL You will be amazed at how much comes out compared to what goes in! LOL

[Hawkingcolorado]

Man! How many seconds was that tank spotless after you took the picture>??:D

[laj]

Fred, I understand about not leaving them hungry, I should have left him more food before taking my boy to the movie today. I just came home a little later than I thought after his last meal. I'll just leave food in there from now on and just change them out when necessary. I'll do the newspaper thing, just couldn't help showing off my tank lol. Thanks for the suggestion. The first slice he did was to the front door...about 2 minutes later, Tim.

[FredFogg]

Ling,

Have you named the gos yet? Or better yet, has the wife and kids named him yet? LOL toungeout

[KidK]

Ling,

Great photos.. and I like your imprint tank.. It looks really nice!

I hope you keep having fun and enjoy every moment with him.. Imprint accipiters are like kids. They are cute and cuddly when they are little, then turn into a bunch of work and test your patience as they get older, and in the end, are worth every moment of it all!

[laj]

Have you named the gos yet? Or better yet, has the wife and kids named him yet? LOL http://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/aetsch.gif

Well, my 5 year old son wanted to name him "Sky", but looking back how much I spent on him the name "Cash" may be more appropriate? :D I haven't made a decision.


Ling,

Great photos.. and I like your imprint tank.. It looks really nice!

I hope you keep having fun and enjoy every moment with him.. Imprint accipiters are like kids. They are cute and cuddly when they are little, then turn into a bunch of work and test your patience as they get older, and in the end, are worth every moment of it all!

Thanks Kory. I wish I had a little more time framing the tank more like yours but had to finish this one in a hurry.

I know what you mean, only if their demeanor stay this way throughout their life, right? Regardless how he turn out I will never give up on him.

He is preening, stretching, and flapping more often now and he is starting to foot the hell out of the tennis ball, too. From day 28-30 he weighed somewhere between 732-745 grams with some food, since I don't let his plate go empty now. Took him out this morning and sat outside for 15 minutes with my daughter. Clean his bowl and let him get a little bit of sun. A car came by and he started to hunker down like what in the hell is that? I need to start exposing him more to traffic and such. Should have a video uploaded soon.

[FredFogg]

Ling,

Take him for rides in the car and have his bowl setup high in the seat so he can look out the window and see everything go by. It will make him solid as far as vehicles go. Oh yeah, a mistake I made was not taking Inya around lawn mowers and noisy heavy construction equipment, now anytime she hears one she bugs out. LOL

[laj]

Ling,

Take him for rides in the car and have his bowl setup high in the seat so he can look out the window and see everything go by. It will make him solid as far as vehicles go. Oh yeah, a mistake I made was not taking Inya around lawn mowers and noisy heavy construction equipment, now anytime she hears one she bugs out. LOL

Roger that. I already had to call the wife 3 times today to make sure the Gos' plate is not empty. Now you telling me I have to tell her she no longer can ride shotgun because I'll be taking the bird out for a ride? box2

Here is my first attempt on putting a video together.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_Goshawk.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=Goshawk.flv)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00046.jpg

[FredFogg]

Awesome Ling! Looks like he is coming along great! I am soooooo jealous! haillhaillhaill

[kimmerar]

Thanks so much Ling. Can't wait to see more vids - especially on game. I really liked wathcing him footing that tennis ball - practice makes perfect for the bunny or duck he's gonna catch.

[MikeT307]

I really liked wathcing him footing that tennis ball - practice makes perfect for the bunny or duck he's gonna catch.

I agree! Even with downy feathers partially covering him he's got the tools to be a real killer. Seems like he's working on that coordination a little.

[laj]

Thanks everyone!

"Sky" is branching soon, he was able to hop up and perch on the rim of the bowl watching TV today. He even got airborne for a split second flapping those half-grown wings. Took him out to lawn to get some morning sun everyday and to expose him to traffic and noise. A car would pass by every 5 mins or so and he is now standing tall looking at them come and go at a distance. Early this morning he weighed 744 grams empty and 780ish about an hour ago.

[KidK]

Ling,

Great photos and video.. Lovin' it! Please keep posting photos of his progression!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[laj]

Ling,

Great photos and video.. Lovin' it! Please keep posting photos of his progression!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Day 33, 754 grams before his meal

I hope you guys/gals like them because I've got tons of photos! I also video him every other day...just becausecrazyy.

Catching a little morning sun. Day 32
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00049.jpg
Day 33.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00052.jpg
Feathers are sprouting all over. Day 33
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00053.jpg

[KidK]

Ha! Looks like he is really enjoying himself Ling! Wait until he is flying a bit and I bet he will spend a bunch of time on the kids play set. Mine always did!

Thanks for the pics!

[laj]

Day 35 795 grams

6/15 I put son his anklets and jesse in the evening and he pretty much spend all his time biting and tugging the rest of the evening.

Yesterday I pretty much spend the whole day with him driving around, dropping my kids off at the mall, go to my work place, and to friends house. He took the riding really well and even sliced right out the window when we stopped at the mall parking! The only time he showed fear was when I brought in a big ice cream cone and he leaned back like a fresh trapped RT. He got to meet a lot of strangers and friends, and one lady even asked me if he is a some kind of CHICKEN!:eek: I let him out of his box in the evening to explore a little, and so he did. When I sat down next to him on the kitchen floor leaning against the cabinet, he took one look at me and jump on my thigh, crawled on my belly and lay down to rest.

On to the pics...

I could get the hood on him without much fuss but once it's on he doesn't like it and will shake it off. This is as close to hooding him for about 5 second without freaking him out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00062.jpg
I like to put him out on the grass when his feet are dirty, the morning dew really help soak and clean them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00054.jpg
At the mall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00058.jpg
Kitchen floor then he hopped onto my lap and fell asleep for about 15 mins.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00063.jpg
This is how he spend most of his day, on the rim of his bowl preening away.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00055.jpg

[wesleyc6]

It looks like he is doing great! His feather growth is exploding and I bet there is a LOT of "bird plastic" everywhere. :eek:

[laj]

It looks like he is doing great! His feather growth is exploding and I bet there is a LOT of "bird plastic" everywhere. :eek:

Actually, it's not as bad as I had thought. Most of those "plastic" and down are in his bowl or the tank floor. Living with a neat freak, the feathering and branching stage was one of my main concern when I decided to go imprint. Yesterday was the firs day I let him explore the kitchen on his free will and after the second slice it was time to put him back in.

[FredFogg]

He is looking great Ling! You will be surprised home much down you will find 2 months from now. It will be, How did that get there? LOL

[John]

Two months? Try two years. It gets everywhere and behind everything. Hey, Ling. One good way to deal with mutes when they're out and about is to have a big, paper cup with a paper towel in the bottom and when you see them about to slice, just catch it in the cup. It works pretty well, and keeps the wife happy.

[laj]

Ha! I must have spoke too soon. I am sitting here at work reading the forum and noticed a down floating away from me. The down must have stuck to my clothing when I replenish his food this morning.

Thanks for that excellent tip John, I'll be following him around with a cup from now on. This kind of remind me of "two girls and one cup." LOL

[FredFogg]

Ha! I must have spoke too soon. I am sitting here at work reading the forum and noticed a down floating away from me. The down must have stuck to my clothing when I replenish his food this morning.

Thanks for that excellent tip John, I'll be following him around with a cup from now on. This kind of remind me of "two girls and one cup." LOL

And just think Ling, if you chew tobacco, the cup can have a dual purpose! LOL :eek:

[chris kimble]

Too bad I spit in cans! But I'll invest in a cup just to try that idea out lol! Your gos is looking great, keep the pics coming.....I like knowing what to expect;)

"Bird Plastic" Now thats funny Wes! Never heard it called that before.

[wesleyc6]

Too bad I spit in cans! But I'll invest in a cup just to try that idea out lol! Your gos is looking great, keep the pics coming.....I like knowing what to expect;)

"Bird Plastic" Now thats funny Wes! Never heard it called that before.


Chris, you will learn a lot of things from me........................just not anything actually usefulcrazyy

[FredFogg]

Chris, you will learn a lot of things from me........................just not anything actually usefulcrazyy

Wes, you sound a lot like me, I am a great teacher! The sad part is, I teach folks what not to do with my mistakes! :eek: But hey, at least they are learning something! LOL

[wesleyc6]

Wes, you sound a lot like me, I am a great teacher! The sad part is, I teach folks what not to do with my mistakes! :eek: But hey, at least they are learning something! LOL

Glad to know I have a "kinship" with someone out there. frus

[laj]

36 days old today and right at 800 grams or 1lb 12 oz. His weight is starting to level off now with only an increase of a few grams the last several days.
Well, my timing is off with the cup and poop. Luckily, he sliced on the tile floor and not on the carpet, or I would have dive face first, arms stretched out with a cup trying to catch his mute like a baseball player. Here he is, goofing around the kitchen late last night after I got off work.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_kitchengos_061808.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=kitchengos_061808.flv)

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
I am soo jealous! I'm still waiting to hear from Lance to see if I can get a female, but I'm in for a Tiercel either way.....Timfrus

[everetkhorton]

Ling:
Looks like you have a rug grabber for sure, <G> it will not be long now.

[sakerjack]

I totally missed this thread,, great job,, Say I recognise that style of hood,, Good luck with it on your Gos!!

[laj]

Ling,
I am soo jealous! I'm still waiting to hear from Lance to see if I can get a female, but I'm in for a Tiercel either way.....Timhttp://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/frusty.gifI hope you get your female, Tim. It is much easier to reach Lance by phone, BTW.


Ling:
Looks like you have a rug grabber for sure, <G> it will not be long now.Ev, we'll have 100 head of rugs by the time he hard penns. toungeout


I totally missed this thread,, great job,, Say I recognise that style of hood,, Good luck with it on your Gos!!Ken, I saw your how-to thread on the Weyburn last year on IFF and thought I give it a go. The hood was in much better shape until the Gos got a hold of it and I suck at tightening the turks knot, as you can see. Your hoods ROCK!

[laj]

Spent the whole day with Sky out in the front yard while my kids and their cousin was playing around him. Also spend some time getting him used to stepping up onto the glove while on his perch and riding the fist around the yard. So far no aggression or screaming, but aren't all eyass are like this until the weight comes down.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00074.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00075.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00079.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_M2U00016.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00016.flv)

[wesleyc6]

Looking great!!! How long has he been getting on the perch on his own? Amazing what a week difference shows in our birds!

[laj]

Looking great!!! How long has he been getting on the perch on his own? Amazing what a week difference shows in our birds!

It has been about almost a week now. I know what you mean, I can see the changes daily. I am now just getting him to feed off the lure and not lure trained yet and have to keep him tethered while outside.

[wesleyc6]

It has been about almost a week now. I know what you mean, I can see the changes daily. I am now just getting him to feed off the lure and not lure trained yet and have to keep him tethered while outside.

I noticed mine seemed a little depressed when tethered, so he is only tethered part time. I put him on his perch today for the first time and he stayed for a LONG time. Right now he is asleep in my son's room on his racetrack and doodle.

Hey those are some nice meat hooks your bird has!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[laj]

800 grams empty weight.

His appetite has never been great and have never taken a full crop, but that could be due to just having food available all the time. Also he pants sometime being in the box during the afternoon so I move him to the basement without the box and plenty of ventilation. His appetite seem to increase a bit since then. He finally seem to be hungry enough to hop down and attack the lure for his quail last night when indoor, but seem too distracted with the neighbor mowing their lawn this morning when outdoor. However, when we walk pass by the plate with the other half of the quail he hopped down and devour it...I think he is wed to the plate. As soon as he is wed to his lure I'll let him fly around the house and set up a baggie for him. I am going to discontinue his constant food availability and feed him no more than 3 times a day to start his lure training.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00087.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00090.jpg

[FredFogg]

He is looking great Ling! Ahhhh, memories of that first imprint year! :eek:

[wesleyc6]

It is tough makin' them grow up, isn't it. ;)

[laj]

No pics today. Sky's response to the lure was almost instant, granted it was a short hop from his perch to it. After he finish a half sparrow on the lure he turned to the tethered sparrow and make short work of it. Needless to say I am pretty proud how things progress today. Now for the bad/worry. He did make some sound today when I approach him this morning before feeding, while on the lure and the sparrow. Never heard of a screaming gos before but this is nothing loud or annoying, kinda like a wheezing sound. Also I notice he does associate me with food no matter how careful I am. When he was plucking and eating his sparrow I walked back in the house to grab a drink. On the way back out I was surprise he was back on his perch not eating, and as soon he saw me approaching he did that sound again and hop back down to finish his sparrow. No mantling or aggression...yet.

[laj]

He is looking great Ling! Ahhhh, memories of that first imprint year! http://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/eek.gif
Thanks Fred! If things goes well I may do another next summer. I am thinking a sharpie or coop for car hawking.


It is tough makin' them grow up, isn't it. http://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/wink.gif
Loving every minute of it.

[FredFogg]

No pics today. Sky's response to the lure was almost instant, granted it was a short hop from his perch to it. After he finish a half sparrow on the lure he turned to the tethered sparrow and make short work of it. Needless to say I am pretty proud how things progress today. Now for the bad/worry. He did make some sound today when I approach him this morning before feeding, while on the lure and the sparrow. Never heard of a screaming gos before but this is nothing loud or annoying, kinda like a wheezing sound. Also I notice he does associate me with food no matter how careful I am. When he was plucking and eating his sparrow I walked back in the house to grab a drink. On the way back out I was surprise he was back on his perch not eating, and as soon he saw me approaching he did that sound again and hop back down to finish his sparrow. No mantling or aggression...yet.

Not an expert here Ling, but I think his feeling more comfortable eating with you there is a good thing! I think you are going to have some vocalization but that will disappear as he starts killing. I am sure Barry and others can give you better advice, but you know me, I am not afraid to say what I think! LOL

[FredFogg]

Thanks Fred! If things goes well I may do another next summer. I am thinking a sharpie or coop for car hawking.


Loving every minute of it.

Find a sharpie nest next spring and I will pull one along with you! I never found one this spring, so it is either a passage sharpie or a passage merling for me this fall.

[laj]

One of the worst day of my life. Lure training went wrong this afternoon and now my gos is spending the night out. Something freaked him out this afternoon and he took a long flight and I couldn't get him back down. Had another falconer help me keeping an eye on him since I didn't have a transmitter on him. I finally call it a day after we marked the exact location where he is roosting tonight...about 200 yards from my house. He wanted to come down and screaming at me around 8:30 but couldn't commit himself. We'll be back out at 5:00 am and hopefully he is still there. It was getting very windy and then a thunderstorm when all this happen and I am soaked. I have never been more disappointed at myself beforefrus. Will update tomorrow.

[FredFogg]

One of the worst day of my life. Lure training went wrong this afternoon and now my gos is spending the night out. Something freaked him out this afternoon and he took a long flight and I couldn't get him back down. Had another falconer help me keeping an eye on him since I didn't have a transmitter on him. I finally call it a day after we marked the exact location where he is roosting tonight...about 200 yards from my house. He wanted to come down and screaming at me around 8:30 but couldn't commit himself. We'll be back out at 5:00 am and hopefully he is still there. It was getting very windy and then a thunderstorm when all this happen and I am soaked. I have never been more disappointed at myself beforefrus. Will update tomorrow.

Damn Ling, sorry to hear this! Have my fingers crossed for you and let us know as soon as you get him back! Any chance you can get an extended ladder to him tonight?

[everetkhorton]

Ling:
Good luck tomorrow!

[John]

Wow, that really stinks. I'm with Fred. No way to climb this tree? Hope everything works out.

[wesleyc6]

Ah Ling, I am sorry too! I agree, if you can climb, he should let you get to him. I have climbed to a kestrel and a hybrid and both let me get them.

[laj]

Thanks for wishing me luck, guys, it sure made a difference! He was out for exactly 24 hours, I got him back 30 mins ago. He was still where I last saw him 5:30 this morning and he was screaming his head off at me. He wanted to come down but not quite sure how and flew around from tree to tree after several fail attempts. After several more attempt at coming down to the lure he flew back up into the tree and decide to chase those little birds that was messing with him yesterday. I ran back home and grab a 5 week old pheasant, tie to fishing line and toss it up and got finally got his interest again. After a few minutes of tossing and tugging he finally fluttered down and made the kill. I slowly made in and clip him while he pluck away. When I pull the lure that was next to him he jumped off the pheasant and ate off the lure instead. Thanks to Robert who stayed out with me all day yesterday and today. I can't describe how relief and happy I am right now. I've learn a lot about imprinting...no more I learn the less I know.confusedd I will resume this diary when the excitement dies down.:D Thanks guys!

[everetkhorton]

Ling:
WTG clappAre you going to beep in up now. When I first started in Falconry I use to carry a live Starling in a can with me all the time. If I try a COHA I will do the same thing again. Great you got her back!

[laj]

Thanks Eve. I am going to beep him up from now on, whether he is on creance or leash and lock him in the safe for the night toungeout Seriously, although he cost me a pretty penny it was the fact that I am "imprinted to him", it was a lot of time and effort I put in him and no rain, wind, falling off the tree, or lack of sleep is going to stop me from getting him back. We followed and chase him around for 10 hours straight yesterday and from 5:30 till around 10:30 this morning. Yes, it is great to have him back.

For future imprinter reading my log and how I made the mistake. I thought he'll be responsive yesterday morning by putting up on a low branch and call him to the lure. Needless to say, he wasn't hungry or wed to the lure enough to come down. He climb and hop his way out of reach on a small tree on my front yard. Little birds (mocking?) was bugging him I tried to scare them off by spraying water at them and that freaked Sky out and he flew off about 100 yards, which surprised me he got that far. Mistake #2 was not slapping a transmitter on him, thinking he is an imprint things can't go wrong. I was wearing my slipper and ran after him with no phone and found him. I was stuck there for about 10 minutes until the neighbor came out to help keep an eye for him and my chance to run back in the house to change shoes and grab my cell to call for help. The trees he was in was impossible for me to climb without climbing gear (not that I know how to use one). After a couple hours the wind picked up and blew him to another tree, then it rained causing him to freaked out and move again. All we could do then was to watch him for another couple of hours till dark. Stupid mistake it is and I should be ridiculed but I am sure glad I got him back and learn from it.

[FredFogg]

Hey Ling, we all make mistakes! And you learned from it. The most important thing is you got him back. Really glad to hear it!

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
If you weren't a drinking man, I bet you are now!:D I was "loaned" a HH and after flying it a few times, decided I could sneak one in without a transmitter...Well he nailed a bunny, but was scared off by 2 RT's. I totally lost track of him , and he had no transmitter on. It was also a place I was not that familiar with. After spending a sleepless' stressful night I went back, parked in the same place, and started scanning the trees against the dawn light with the binoculars. I was swinging the lure and blowing the whistle. I sat down on the tailgate to drink some coffee and heard a bell right above me. He was in the limb of a tree 4 feet above my head! He jumped to the glove, then jumped in his box......From then on the transmitter gets beeped on IN THE HOUSE, and doesn't get turned off until the bird is in the mews........frus

[John]

That's good to hear. Live and learn, but at least it had a good ending.

[laj]

Thanks guys. Funny little story, Tim. BTW, what is the word on your female?

Sky had some pheasant and quail as a reward for returning this afternoon. I sat there and let him eat as much as his little heart desire. Beeped him up and weigh him before taking him outside for his second meal today. He weighed in at 815 grams minus the transmitter (5 grams). Gave him some more quail on the lure but didn't eat much so I saved the rest for later.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00094.jpg

[Hawkingcolorado]

Hi Ling,
I'm still waiting for the female!!! Lance has 2 more orders to fill. then the next one is mine......."transmitter=good"....."no transmitter=bad":D

[laj]

I didn't have time to spend outside watching him feed today. So instead I let him feed in his box while I get ready for work. Hoping to have a new weathering area and get his chamber ready this Monday. That was the plan last Monday until Sky decided to "hack" himself out for a couple of days. He weighed in at 843 grams after he had about a 1/3 of a quail this morning.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00096.jpg

[wesleyc6]

Ling, he is quite a looker. Other than screaming when you arrived, have you seen anything else negative from that experience? Is he finished blowing down yet?

[laj]

Ling, he is quite a looker. Other than screaming when you arrived, have you seen anything else negative from that experience? Is he finished blowing down yet?

He does make some noise only when he is hungry and sees me, other than that he is perfectly quiet the rest of the day. The only time I really heard him scream was when he was stuck in the tree and had not eaten in nearly 36 hours...he was really wailing at me. Negative things I see or don't like? I am still having a hard time getting him to step up on the glove when he is on the ground. Only way to get him on is while he is on the perch and that don't always go smoothly. I am not sure what I did wrong, maybe I rushed him a bit early on and it wasn't a pleasurable experience for him. I sometime feed him on the perch in the basement and now he is almost rushing me when approaching. He doesn't bite me or anything like that but I know it will turn into aggression if I am not careful how I present it. He'll be in the mews next week anyway, so this probably won't be an issue. Since I haven't done a good job of introducing him to dogs and he is not fond of them, yet. I also notice he hates water and have yet to see him take a bath or a drink. He still got some down left but not dropping like he used to.

[wesleyc6]

So he went back to being quiet? That is great news. A friend of mine is imprinting and he said he put his bird in the mew for ONE day and it was noticeably more vocal. Just a heads-up on what he said.

Do you lift your bird up on the glove from the front or back? If the back, then hold a hand in front of his chest and bump the legs and lift up. That is how I started picking mine up. If on the perch, I always bump from the front and lift up.

If McD is right, then I agree that aggression is coming on that perch. He also says he allows it on a perch in a place he doesn't care about.

Odd on the water.

do you hunt with dogs?

[laj]

I have always tried to bump him from the front and I will give from behind a try as you described. I imagine leaving them in the mew the first time will cause them to burn more energy and that could effect its hunger/weight? I believe it is not so much the place but also how you present the food. Whether you bring the food to the bird or the bird to the food also effect their anticipation of you when you enter the area. I have never hunted with my own dog and wish I have the time to train and care for one. I have just enough time to care for one animal and since taking on the gos I have transfered both my RT and Harris. I will still try to socialize him to dog if it is already not too late because my friend has a hound and Dachshund mix that hunted pretty well with my Harris last season.

[wesleyc6]

I have always tried to bump him from the front and I will give from behind a try as you described. I imagine leaving them in the mew the first time will cause them to burn more energy and that could effect its hunger/weight? I believe it is not so much the place but also how you present the food. Whether you bring the food to the bird or the bird to the food also effect their anticipation of you when you enter the area. I have never hunted with my own dog and wish I have the time to train and care for one. I have just enough time to care for one animal and since taking on the gos I have transfered both my RT and Harris. I will still try to socialize him to dog if it is already not too late because my friend has a hound and Dachshund mix that hunted pretty well with my Harris last season.

I think on the ground, picking up from behind is pretty easy.

This guy didn't feed in the mew. He just put him out there one time for several hours. I am not sure why it made him more vocal. You could be exactly right though.

Yeah, the Gos is kind of a handful right now with 2 a day training isn't it. LOL Lots of fun though!

I would love to hear how it goes with the dog!

[laj]

Well, my quiet little guy go more vocal this morning. He was doing some light screaming and not "making noise" like he used to. The screaming did stop whenever I got close to him, however. As soon as I enter the room he jump down from his perch and still difficult to pick him up without him walking away. Getting him to step onto the glove was much easier when he was back on the perch. I did noticed an increase of appetite since Monday but still he weighed lower than he was yesterday morning. I took him outside to feed but he seem to be more distracted than normal, the car, the little bird, the barking dog, all cause him to look up and pause his feeding. Is this normal getting close to hard penning stage? He will go into the mews over this weekend or Monday.

[laj]

I didn't want to take anymore chances so I moved him to the mews after this mornings post. He was on his way being territorial and noisy in the basement so hoping a different setting might help. Came home around 2pm and he made some noise when I enter the mews and quiet down nicely when I got him on the fist. Put him on the creance, place a small piece of meat on the lure and a good chunk on the ground about 15 ft away. He came to the lure almost instantly and jump off to the meat after he finished with the lure. I knew he would be much more focus this afternoon as he didn't get a good fill due to distractions this morning. Weather him in the sun until he started to pant (10 mins) and put him back in the mews at 850 grams. If you have the volume up you can hear making those noise when he sees me and while tearing up his food.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_M2U00022.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00022.flv)

[wesleyc6]

If that is as bad as it ever gets, that will be a huge victory I think. I am hoping mine won't scream either, but I am mentally prepared for it in case it does happen.

Thanks for the video. He is lookin' great!

[laj]

He started making those noise about a week ago only when its time for his next meal. He was however, a little louder in the basement this morning with a brief light scream, lasted until I picked him up to go outside. So yeah, I got my fingers crossed, I can still tolerate a little more noise, so far he is still a pleasure to handle once I could get him on my glove.

[laj]

We spend all day at my bros house for the 4th. Sky took the giant hood without much problem on the 25 mins drive, only falling off his perch on a wide turn when we almost got there. We had about 30 family members and friends there and I perched him about 10 yards away from the crowd at first then about 5 yards away from the crowd later on. We barbecued, we played some b-ball, and fire works when the sun set...good times.

Since we came home after dark last night, Sky went into the basement instead. He was a little vocal this morning at 795 grams but quiet down as soon as I got him on the glove. He came down to the lure from my kids swing set but wasn't sure what to do with the DOC since he never had one before. As he realize that it is food a motorcycle came zooming by, which kind of spooked him a little and took him a while to settle down enough to eat. Return home 5 hours later and he was more vocal than this morning when I enter the mews...I may have a future screamer on handfrus but still tolerable. He was a little better on the lure and finish off a quail afterwards. Put him away at 865 grams. Decide to check on him 3 hours later around 8 pm and he didn't make a sound when I enter the chamber. Took him around the yard and rode on the glove watching cars, dog, and people go by for almost an hour. Manner is still excellent, I could touch him all over when eating and no mantling. Picking him up from behind as Wes suggested prove to be much more easier than bumping him from the front.

Can anyone tell me how soon or when can I fit a tail mount on him?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00099.jpg

[FredFogg]

We barbecued, we played some b-ball, and fire works when the sun set...good times.


Can anyone tell me how soon or when can I fit a tail mount on him?


What is this, you played b-ball? Hmmm, sounds like we might have to get a Guild basketball game up sometime! LOL Weak shoulder after surgery and bad knees, but I still love to play!

Ling, I waited until I was absolutely sure that Inya was hard penned before I put a Marshall tailmount on her. I can't imagine it being any different with any other type of bird. I am sure Barry and the other gos folks can give you a much better answer about your gos.

By the way, he is soooooooo beautiful!

[goshawks00]

Ling they hard pen around 65 days or so... until then bewit the trans on a leg, or get a Marshall backpack set-up. I am partial to a tail mount and just bewit until penned.
Barry

[laj]

Fred, I don't remember but is there a court at Sloan park? :D

Thanks Barry, I thought they HP around 8 weeks or so but wasn't sure. I got a transmitter on his leg now but will tail mount him around 10 weeks plus to be sure.

He was much more quieter today even though weighed a little less. He made maybe 5 little screams and totally stop when I got about 15 ft away from the mews. He was also less distracted by the noise and traffic outside and ate right away. The trade off to that quietness was a slight aggression. He didn't like my bare hand in there trying to mess with his food. He had that look and crouch warning me. Obviously, I move my bare hand away and not make matters worse by letting him eat and make little movement from a foot away. I don't remember what I did in the pass to cause this but it could be that I am feeding him at the same place too often and he is becoming territorial? Barry and others, should I even fool with his food or am I doing more harm than good. We'll go to the park tomorrow to see it it will make a difference.

[laj]

After talking to Lance I have decided to go back and give him all he could eat and never leave him hungry enough to make a sound until he hard penns. So far Sky has shown an improvement. I put him away last night at 888 grams and he was 825g 12 hours later this morning and made two little squeal when I went in to pick him up. His manner on the carcass is what I hoped for and very approachable this morning, with very little to no noise. I doubt I can keep him totally silent at hunting weight but hopefully not worsen than how he was 4 days ago.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_M2U00023.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00023.flv)

[sevristh]

Awww, Sky doesn't seem to like 'spaghetti'! :D

[laj]

Well, Sky will be hard penned any day now. He has been pretty quiet lately now that I am keeping him stuffed. Several days ago he had me scratching my head. He was fed up an hour before I came back home to check up on him, and as I expected he was absolutely silent on my way and into the mews. I spend about 20 mins with him in the chamber and during those time he made some playful chirps until I left. Although at his heaviest (888 grams) with a crop, he did a little screaming when I was on my way back into the house until I was out of sight. Weird.

Today, Sky weighed 837 grams empty this morning and 902 grams after his first meal. He does make a little bit of noise in the morning for his first meal but usually quiet thru out the rest of the day. He is getting easier to get him to step up onto the glove...thanks to Wes' suggestion. Cars and trucks zooming by our street doesn't really bother him anymore but coming down our driveway where he is perch, motorcycle, and gardening machinery still bothers him. I will continue to feed him often for another week so that he is not hungry enough to food beg during my approach to the mews, then will start adjusting his intake to find a good lure response weight from a distance before taking him into the field for some baggy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00113.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00118.jpg

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
He's a beauty! I can see what I have to look foward to! Lance makes a nice Gos.....Thats a nice sized teircel. What is the "baggie plan" for him? Live quail?.....

[laj]

Ling,
He's a beauty! I can see what I have to look foward to! Lance makes a nice Gos.....Thats a nice sized teircel. What is the "baggie plan" for him? Live quail?.....

Thanks Tim. I got some 7 week old pheasies, chukars, and quail ready to go until the covers are thin enough to actually hunt.

860+ grams this morning and took one bite after coming to the lure and decided he he wanted a tan in the warm morning sun instead. He did make several food calls this morning when approaching the mews then quiet down as I enter.

[wesleyc6]

Well, Sky will be hard penned any day now. He has been pretty quiet lately now that I am keeping him stuffed. Several days ago he had me scratching my head. He was fed up an hour before I came back home to check up on him, and as I expected he was absolutely silent on my way and into the mews. I spend about 20 mins with him in the chamber and during those time he made some playful chirps until I left. Although at his heaviest (888 grams) with a crop, he did a little screaming when I was on my way back into the house until I was out of sight. Weird.

Today, Sky weighed 837 grams empty this morning and 902 grams after his first meal. He does make a little bit of noise in the morning for his first meal but usually quiet thru out the rest of the day. He is getting easier to get him to step up onto the glove...thanks to Wes' suggestion. Cars and trucks zooming by our street doesn't really bother him anymore but coming down our driveway where he is perch, motorcycle, and gardening machinery still bothers him. I will continue to feed him often for another week so that he is not hungry enough to food beg during my approach to the mews, then will start adjusting his intake to find a good lure response weight from a distance before taking him into the field for some baggy.




He is handsome. His head is different than a NA I think. It is bigger looking.

[laj]

He is handsome. His head is different than a NA I think. It is bigger looking.I've seen some finnish with smaller heads too, I think it depends if the bird is slick down like mine in the pic or if they are roused while the pic was taken making the body look bigger...or it could be Sky has a big head like I do. :D

Day 62

Not much has happen the last several days. I've been feeding him off the lure twice a day and have lessen his portion yesterday. His empty weight were in the mid to high 830's and response to the lure was very slow on the creance. He did a little better this morning right at 830 grams but there was also zero distraction unlike the last couple of days. I am sure at that weight I would have a very difficult time getting him down from a tree during free flght. I will have the next three days off to train him so weight cutting will begin today. I hope to have him in the 820s tomorrow and we'll see how serious he is, then 810s on Wednesday and if needed a little lower on Thursday for free flight in the morning and a baggie Chukar in the evening. I am not looking for a hunting weight yet, just a weight I could bring him back home at the end of the day after some exercise in the field. Any suggestion or criticism are more than welcome...I want my first outing to go smooth so fire away!;)

[laj]

Got home around 11:00am after a meeting and Sky weighed in at 824 grams. My wife and I sat at a cool place of the yard with Sky and enjoy the breeze for a good 1/2 an hour before I start the session with Sky. His response is still poor and he ate very little then. We tried again around 4:30 when he was at 814 grams and still had to coax him down from the swing set. He was a little quicker to the lure but still no where the response I am looking for. He should be at around 800 grams tomorrow because our session was cut short when a cat I have never seen enter our yard today. He stared the cat down while finishing his DOC and the same cat return a few minutes later when Sky was finishing his quail. Half way thru his quail Sky decide to leave his food and rush toward the cat like he wants a piece of it. I was happy to find that when I walked over to pick Sky up while the cat was running away, Sky hopped up to my the glove without any fuss at all. And the video showed how I spend the next hour with him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00119.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_M2U00029.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00029.flv)

[laj]

Sorry for the lack of update...so I am going to fast forward a little. I've been cutting his weight down about 10 grams a day to get a lure response and it seems like 790-800 grams right now. He took his first free flight on Thursday at 804 and it took him a few seconds to come down from a tree. I've been busy building an aviary to house all his baggies and let him kill one (pheasant) in there when I was done building. He has been on a once a day feeding now and I anticipate below 800 grams for some field work. He weighed in at 790, the lowest I have had him and boy could I hear it, he didn't stop screaming until we walk out the mewsfrus. Took him out to the field( first time out) and put him on a creance and call him to a lure for a chick leg at about 40 ft instantly, then jump off the lure to another chick leg. I put him back into the GH and set up a pheasie baggie tied to the creance. He was very noisy making the kill but was absolutely quiet during feeding and his manner was everything I hoped for. Besides a little screaming now, so far so good.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_072008_790gr.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=072008_790gr.flv)

[Takasho]

Congrats! How long do you estimate before you're after wild quarry? I'm assuming pheasant, duck, etc, aren't possible til the fall but how about small birds and that sort of thing?

[laj]

Congrats! How long do you estimate before you're after wild quarry? I'm assuming pheasant, duck, etc, aren't possible til the fall but how about small birds and that sort of thing?

I am stocking up on pheasant, chukar, and quail to keep him occupy until fall. Funny thing is, we don't have wild pheasant or chukar here and quail are hard to find if any. I am picking up more chukars tomorrow so chasing whatever he wants and more bagging won't start till Tuesday...

[laj]

I have been bagging Sky almost everyday and he never turn any down. Yesterday I had another falconer toss a quail about 10-15 ft. away from us and the quail just flop to the ground and it then tried to fly but was too late as Sky was already heading toward it. He did try carrying when another falconer and his daughter was with us but did not attempt when we are alone. Today was a much better flight, a falconer friend toss a quail up high and this time Sky launch off the fist going up at a 45 degree and pull the quail out of the air, again he glided off about 50 yards away landing on a 4 ft. block wall. He did not try to carry from where he was at when I got there and brought it down to the ground killing the quail but he did try to go under some cover when my friend arrive at the scene. These flights were between 785-795 grams and I think I need to lower him a tad more to discourage carrying and to begin plucking immediately, even with the presence of other people around him.

[FredFogg]

I have been bagging Sky almost everyday and he never turn any down. Yesterday I had another falconer toss a quail about 10-15 ft. away from us and the quail just flop to the ground and it then tried to fly but was too late as Sky was already heading toward it. He did try carrying when another falconer and his daughter was with us but did not attempt when we are alone. Today was a much better flight, a falconer friend toss a quail up high and this time Sky launch off the fist going up at a 45 degree and pull the quail out of the air, again he glided off about 50 yards away landing on a 4 ft. block wall. He did not try to carry from where he was at when I got there and brought it down to the ground killing the quail but he did try to go under some cover when my friend arrive at the scene. These flights were between 785-795 grams and I think I need to lower him a tad more to discourage carrying and to begin plucking immediately, even with the presence of other people around him.

Ling,

Sounds like things are going well. If I were you, I would try and do all of his feedings in front of multiple people, if possible, from now on and that should help eliminate the carrying. Can't wait to see him fly this fall! I am getting a rehab male sharpie tomorrow that I will be trying to make sure he can hunt before I release him. It will be fun to be working with a bird again, even though it has been less than a month since I quit flying the coops! LOL Just can't quench that need! :D

[laj]

Yeah, I am pleased with him so far. There are a few issue I am working on with him that I should have done already...way before penning. I do try to feed him around other people but as you know, that is not always possible. After he killed the baggie quail today I made sure my friend came over and walk around him a bit after he breaks in and Sky didn't really mind. The field we were at was in back of an industrial park and while Sky was eating his quail a big truck came roaring by us and it really spooked him, he will bate at any slow or loud moving vehicle that comes within 20 ft. of him. From now on I believe I need to feed him not just in front of others but also in front of my truck with the engine running then progress to little movement.

[FredFogg]

Yeah, I am pleased with him so far. There are a few issue I am working on with him that I should have done already...way before penning. I do try to feed him around other people but as you know, that is not always possible. After he killed the baggie quail today I made sure my friend came over and walk around him a bit after he breaks in and Sky didn't really mind. The field we were at was in back of an industrial park and while Sky was eating his quail a big truck came roaring by us and it really spooked him, he will bate at any slow or loud moving vehicle that comes within 20 ft. of him. From now on I believe I need to feed him not just in front of others but also in front of my truck with the engine running then progress to little movement.

I know what you mean, the little things you don't think of are what jumps up and bites you on the ass later on! LOL Inya totally freaks out when she hears a lawnmower, I should have exposed her to one when she was little but I didn't even think of it. Cars and trucks, she doesn't have a problem with, as a matter of fact, she scares me sometimes with her lack of fear of them and has flown way to close to moving vehicles a few times and scared me to death. You try to think of everything, but I can guarantee you something will be left out and you will run across it during the season. LOL Ole Murphy, he is always present!

[wesleyc6]

So far, I haven't seen anything that I really dislike that is obvious I did or didn't do. I do wish I had touched him more when he ate. I didn't simply because if he was almost full, it would distract him and he wouldn't completely top off. I haven't seen him have any odd fears really, except mobbing birds. I have noticed that when he gets a few tidbits in him, he doesn't stay right where he missed his bird when carhawking. He might fly a block.

An easy way to stop the car deal is to put him IN your car and ride him around a lot.

I will tell you something that imprints do that scares me. That is check out dogs a little too close. So scary.

[laj]

So far, I haven't seen anything that I really dislike that is obvious I did or didn't do. I do wish I had touched him more when he ate. I didn't simply because if he was almost full, it would distract him and he wouldn't completely top off. I haven't seen him have any odd fears really, except mobbing birds. I have noticed that when he gets a few tidbits in him, he doesn't stay right where he missed his bird when carhawking. He might fly a block.

An easy way to stop the car deal is to put him IN your car and ride him around a lot.

I will tell you something that imprints do that scares me. That is check out dogs a little too close. So scary.

I don't have that problem with dogs, they still scare him lol. Although I don't hunt with dogs I still want to be able to call him down when one is around so that is another thing on the check list Sky has to overcome. Thanks for the car tip I will be sure to work with him on that, too.

Sky was right at 780 grams this afternoon and response to the lure was instant from the gate of the truck. I am guesstimating his hunting weight will be between 760-770, maybe a little higher when it is 50 degree cooler.

[wesleyc6]

Wow, he is a big boy! I can't wait to hear of hunting stories. Sounds like they are just around the corner!clapp

[laj]

Wow, he is a big boy! I can't wait to hear of hunting stories. Sounds like they are just around the corner!clapp
From what I know he is just an average size male finnish.

I didn't feed him more than 1/2 an ounce this afternoon knowing I'll bag him again later on today. Anothr falconer an hour away came over so I can help him finish building his giant hood for his hen NA gos and we were running out of time so we rush out to bag Sky and his hen around 7 and I remember to bring everything but forgot to weigh him. Guessing he'll be about 770-780 I decided to bag him anyway. It seems that Sky knows the game now, his head was bobbing a little and looking for something to pop out while we walk into the field. My friend toss the unhindered, flight condition bob white up about 15-20 ft from us and about 10-15 up in the air and the quail started to flap its little wings toward the woods. And as soon as the quail started to flap Sky shot off the fist and 25-30 yards later Sky tried grabbing him just before they both enter the tree line and must of hurt the quail bad enough for it to tumble down in knee high grass while Sky put on the brakes and wingover down on it. The quail did try one last effort to run in the grass but it was too late. For a baggie, it was the best effort to date and I should have video it. The best part of it was he didn't try carrying and did not make one peep or mantle on the quail and started plucking and breaking in pretty quickly. We than bag his hen gos who is not yet hard penned and went back home to finish his ABS box. Great day...:D

[laj]

Worked this whole week and it has kept us from doing any bagging in the field. It seems any weight under 800 grams is no longer ideal. He was very noisy at 777 grams a couple days ago and showed a hint of mantling when on the lure and signs of aggression toward my son when he is eating. At 830 grams yesterday afternoon I needed to give him a little more to hold his weight till the next day and he was a total sweetheart on a quail baggie, not a peep of noise, didn't move an inch, and he didn't lift a feather or cared about my son who is a few feet away.

Took him out to the field today a little late and Sky was right at 800 grams. He was a little less noisy and not as "hot" when below 800. He was instant to the lure at 30-40 yards and recognize the whistle when I blew while he was facing the other way. First baggie (video) went ok and he carried the chukar into the woods when my friend was hanging around on the bank. We lost that chukar in the woods when I was transferring him off...long story. Second baggie (not in video) flew much better and had a brief tail chase and either he was too tired to carry, he learned not to since he ended up in the middle of the field or my friend was far enough away from us. Transfer him off to part of DOC and gave him his prize near our cars and trucks with engine running and my buddy and his family walking around Sky. After he started breaking in nothing seemed to bother him then. Will shoot for a 810 grams next time and see how it goes. Can't wait for a couple more weeks till the kids school start and hunting begins.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/th_skychukar073108.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=skychukar073108.flv)

[FredFogg]

He is looking great Ling, you are doing a great job! clappclappclapp
Just let me know when you get tired of him, will be glad to take him off your hand! LOL

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
How old is he now? And do you know how old he was when he hard penned?. My boy weighed 852 yesterday before late afternoon feeding, but he's still eating twice a day, and may just barely be hard penned. It's really hot here. High 90's every day.-Tim

[wesleyc6]

Looking great Ling!clapp

[laj]

He is looking great Ling, you are doing a great job! clappclappclapp
Just let me know when you get tired of him, will be glad to take him off your hand! LOLThanks Fred, I like the way he looks and feel on my hand so it will be awhile. :D


Looking great Ling!clappUntil he catches wild game like Tex does, he is just a pretty bird. But it may be anytime now.


Ling,
How old is he now? And do you know how old he was when he hard penned?. My boy weighed 852 yesterday before late afternoon feeding, but he's still eating twice a day, and may just barely be hard penned. It's really hot here. High 90's every day.-TimIf my memory is correct, Sky is 80 days old today. I didn't look at his shaft to verify the color or anything, but I hear the male hard penns at 60 plus days and the female about 70 plus days?

Sky burned through the one chick and all he could eat chukar yesterday. He weighed 880 grams around 7:30 pm yesterday and lost all that weight and he was right at 800 grams again 10:00am this morning. Gave him about an ounce just in case I am able to take him out later on today.

[wesleyc6]

Ling,
From the look of that video, he is going to be winged death and is probably ready now to catch game. Are you bagging on bunnies too or just feather?

[laj]

Ling,
From the look of that video, he is going to be winged death and is probably ready now to catch game. Are you bagging on bunnies too or just feather?

Just feather for now. I think Barry cautioned in your thread to not over do the feather or they may become wed to it? I will start feeding him a bunny head tomorrow and bag one if I can find any.

[wesleyc6]

Yeah, and I think he is right about that. Mine definitely is jacked up over anything with feathers.


I think I asked before, but what is your main quarry going to be?

[laj]

Fur:eek: I guess he doesn't have a choice when the time comes. Duck will also be on the menu when I find enough places to go and lastly crow when everything start to click.

[laj]

Well, I don't know how you hardcore goshawker do it...carrying him on the fist for 30 mins around the field was tough. We went to our prime bunny spot on Saturday at noon and I walked him on the fist until my arm was really soared and we didn't jump anything and went on home. Yesterday, we went out at 8 am and found out our bunny spot had a "Posted" no hunting, trapping, tresspassing sign everywhere...the place is being develop frus We went to a memorial park instead and he chased some little birds for a little while and Sky decided to head across the river to chase a gray squirrel. Standing there helpless watching him chase a squirrel up and down the tree with no lure response I decided to find a way to him :eek:. He was 810 grams and response was poor when I did finally found my way across the river I had to get very close to coax him down.

6:30 pm and he was down to 797 grams and we went to a different field I hunted a few times before. Right off the bat we saw birds on the wire coming down to the grass from a distance and I couldn't tell what they really were. We also saw a couple of doves flying in and out of the field when we were 100 yard or so away. We sneaked our way along the tree line and a couple of sparrows lifted off about 50 yards away and so did Sky, off the fist in a flash and at least 50 doves also exploded a little further out heading everywhere. Poor Sky, he went left, he went right, he got as close as a foot, but no cigar. We worked our way through that field and work our way back to the same field again. Again Sky left the fist way too early (my fault for letting him go) and was not even close this time and all the birds left him in the dust. 797 grams had an ok lure response but not great from a tree. All in all it was a good time out eventhough we came home with nothing to show for. Will shoot for the 780s next time out as he is much less noisy when weathered before hunting and manner is still great.

Oh yeah, fitted a tail mount and the transmitter on him this morning while he dine on a quail today. No flying today so he got a huge crop at 900+ grams.

[wesleyc6]

Well, I don't know how you hardcore goshawker do it...carrying him on the fist for 30 mins around the field was tough. We went to our prime bunny spot on Saturday at noon and I walked him on the fist until my arm was really soared and we didn't jump anything and went on home. Yesterday, we went out at 8 am and found out our bunny spot had a "Posted" no hunting, trapping, tresspassing sign everywhere...the place is being develop frus We went to a memorial park instead and he chased some little birds for a little while and Sky decided to head across the river to chase a gray squirrel. Standing there helpless watching him chase a squirrel up and down the tree with no lure response I decided to find a way to him :eek:. He was 810 grams and response was poor when I did finally found my way across the river I had to get very close to coax him down.

6:30 pm and he was down to 797 grams and we went to a different field I hunted a few times before. Right off the bat we saw birds on the wire coming down to the grass from a distance and I couldn't tell what they really were. We also saw a couple of doves flying in and out of the field when we were 100 yard or so away. We sneaked our way along the tree line and a couple of sparrows lifted off about 50 yards away and so did Sky, off the fist in a flash and at least 50 doves also exploded a little further out heading everywhere. Poor Sky, he went left, he went right, he got as close as a foot, but no cigar. We worked our way through that field and work our way back to the same field again. Again Sky left the fist way too early (my fault for letting him go) and was not even close this time and all the birds left him in the dust. 797 grams had an ok lure response but not great from a tree. All in all it was a good time out eventhough we came home with nothing to show for. Will shoot for the 780s next time out as he is much less noisy when weathered before hunting and manner is still great.

Oh yeah, fitted a tail mount and the transmitter on him this morning while he dine on a quail today. No flying today so he got a huge crop at 900+ grams.

We will be reading great hunting stories very soon I think. Good job and glad all went well!

[laj]

I haven't been taking Sky out much due to heat, losing our main field to development, and busy building a new giant hood. Still no kills yet. It has been cooler the last couple of days, in the 80's finally and his response is much better in the 780 gram range. He chases hard in the 790-800 but lure response was poor. Yesterday, we went to the field at around 6 pm and he was standing tall on the fist and bobbing his head looking everywhere. As I was walking and unclip him a group of dove exploded and the jesses just slipped out of my hand :D. Needless to say the doves beat him over the trees and he circle back into one of the tree. I gave him and myself a minute to catch our breath then called him down to the lure. He is still not instant coming down but quick enough to satisfy me for now...probably another 10 grams reduction should do the trick. Next up was a sparrow. We approach a small patch of overgrowth in the middle of the field and without any warning he launch toward my right and in a flash he was inches away from grabbing a sparrow. In a blur I noticed the sparrow dump in the short grass and Sky put on his brakes and wingover down to it. I thought he had it since there were no movement from either one of them until I made the short walk over and the sparrow took off again and beat Sky to the cover. Weather is getting cooler and Kid is starting school...this mean I am getting my butt out of bed early and the hunts begin!

Here is the new giant hood I have been working on since I gave a friend my old ones. 24" front to back, 26" tall and 44" from side to side. The two outer chambers are 16"wx24"dx26"H and the middle storage chamber is 12" wide. It has two fans running independently, one is to pull and the other pushes air in the box. I am getting a camper shell install on my truck this week to keep things cool and secure.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00123.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00124.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00125.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00126.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00127.jpg

[Hawkingcolorado]

Hi Ling,
Sky looks good! Also nice job on the GH. My boy is still sluggish on the lure at 780ish also. I've been trying to get him going on jump ups,( throwing the tidbit on the floor, having him jump down, then jump back up on the glove) but he just jumps down walks over and eats the bit, then is not very interested about getting back up on the glove. He's had a couple of bunnies though, and seems to like them, and a bunch of Bob white. I just have to keep shaving him down I guess.-Tim

[FredFogg]

Ling,

Two things!

First, if you decide you want to make a new gh, this friend will be glad to take that ole ratty looking thing you have! :D toungeout

Second, from the picture below, do I see a falcon in your future? crazyy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00124.jpg

[laj]

Hi Ling,
Sky looks good! Also nice job on the GH. My boy is still sluggish on the lure at 780ish also. I've been trying to get him going on jump ups,( throwing the tidbit on the floor, having him jump down, then jump back up on the glove) but he just jumps down walks over and eats the bit, then is not very interested about getting back up on the glove. He's had a couple of bunnies though, and seems to like them, and a bunch of Bob white. I just have to keep shaving him down I guess.-TimThanks Tim. Sounds like DB is coming along. I dragged a whole bunny carcass for Sky few days ago and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first but didn't take long for him to grab it and break in.


Ling,

Two things!

First, if you decide you want to make a new gh, this friend will be glad to take that ole ratty looking thing you have! http://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/aetsch.gif

Second, from the picture below, do I see a falcon in your future? http://www.nafex.net/images/smilies/crazy.gifThere may be a falcon in the future, but that is not what the "block" is for. Notice the block doesn't have a flat top but concave to hold his food from rolling and raised around the edge so he has something to grab onto when hitting those speed bumps. Sky is a very slow eater, I normally spend an extra hour with him in the field waiting for him to crop up. I think it was Barry who suggested the lit GH to feed them on the way home, that is what the experiment block/platform is for. Who knows, it may suit a kestrel or merlin just fine.toungeout

[FredFogg]

There may be a falcon in the future, but that is not what the "block" is for. Notice the block doesn't have a flat top but concave to hold his food from rolling and raised around the edge so he has something to grab onto when hitting those speed bumps. Sky is a very slow eater, I normally spend an extra hour with him in the field waiting for him to crop up. I think it was Barry who suggested the lit GH to feed them on the way home, that is what the experiment block/platform is for. Who knows, it may suit a kestrel or merlin just fine.toungeout

Very cool Ling! Barry is a wise man with some great advice! And the way the blocks top pops off, you can easily replace it with a flat one for a falcon later on. I will see about a merlin for you when I go to the coast in October. LOL

[laj]

Well this sucks! Sky somehow pulled one of his deck that the transmitter was on. We went out late this morning to chase some little birds around and to test his lowest weight yet (775g). After a half an hour I put him in the tree and tried to get about a 100 yard to see how instant he'll come to the lure, I couldn't get more than 70 yards before he started to follow and landed on another tree near by. A few minutes later he suddenly made a shallow stoop from that tree and I thought he was after a bunny, but was disappointed to see it was a squirrel that ran up the tree. Man, I have never see a bird going almost vertically up the tree after a squirrel like that, compare that to a redtail that has to climb from limb to limb. Although he somehow lost it in the thick canopy, he wanted it bad and it was pretty cool to watch. We hunted for about an hour and had to go pick up a puppy for my son (birthday) so I put Sky in the weathering yard and return home 2 hours later to find a deck feather laying a foot away from his perchfrus, and he was still preening! I was really confused as to what have caused it. First thought was that he somehow got the leash wrapped up around the transmitter and got pulled, but after closer look at the base of the feather I noticed a pinch on one side of the feather. It is possible that he pulled himself...I am not sure, wasn't there when it happenconfusedd Does anybody know that IF it does grow back, will it be during the moult or is it possible that it will just regrow now?

[goshawks00]

Bummer !
Many times they will grow back within a short time... a lot has to do with whether the feather folicle was damaged. Here's where it may get interesting... with proper weight maintained it may grow back perfectly and as a bonus give you an idea of what his adult plummage will look like. Sometimes they do grow back kind of screwy the next time , then after that in subsequent years they will be fine... sometimes they do not grow back... damaged folicle. .

There are several ways to go about helping him.. 1)maintain weight and struggle through flying him... tough... you may lose ground as he is at the very least near his highest hunting weight and will start exhibiting heavy weight syndrome. 2)Or you could continue down the weight scale as he learns his hunting lessons... but there will be frets and possible deformities by doing so. 3)Or being that it's early enough ..fatten him up until feather is partially down (2/3) then take him back up for the rest of his training...


Now then, I'd like to know a bit more ... is he ..opps WAS he... I mean was his trans on a single feather... can you post a picture of how it was attached? What type of or rather what was the weight and style of trans used?

If permanentally attched sometimes ( rarely) they will on purpose pull it as it feels unnatural... I see this more in RTs than goshawks. He also may have twisted it while flying through the trees and aggravated it enough that it bothered him.. Or he make have 'hooked' it on a million other things and just about lost it then but instead finished it off back in the chambers..
Curious to see pics of it,
Barry

[laj]

Thanks for the quick reply, Barry. I left the feather in my truck and will post a pic when my brother return my truck tonight. It is on a single feather, I put a little epoxy on it before I crimp it on. The transmitter is a mx392 merlin, about 5 grams including batteries (cooper size?)

I will keep him on the high end for a couple of weeks to see if it will grow.

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
Sorry to hear about the lost feather....If it makes you feel any better, I'm still waiting to see if DB will grow back the one he dropped a couple of weeks ago. It broke, was imped, then dropped completely a week later. It's just to the left of the decks. I'll let you know if I see it coming back, since the birds are "kinda related"......Tim

[Hawkingcolorado]

I was just trying to peek at my birds folicle where he dropped the feather. It's really hard to see up there. I tried to look in from the side when he was laying down. I thought I saw what looked like a real short piece of white string coming out. Is that what it looks like.?There's a lotta white fluffy down up there, pluse he's not to keen to have me poking around:D-Tim

[John]

Well, that stinks. Just curious, but how long is the antennae on the transmitter you're using? The longer ones are notorious for getting snagged on stuff, but the short stiff ones I believe are safer. Hope it grows back o.k.

[wesleyc6]

Ling,
I have the same setup. I have a marshall tail clip w/epoxy, and MX 392. Sorry to hear you had a problem with it.

John,
If his is a mx, it is pretty short. I still clipped mine to about 1/2 inch past the tail feather.

[goshawks00]

Wes can you explain what you mean by 1/2" below tail feather? Do you mean your clip is 1/2" below upper tail coverts?
Barry

[laj]

Tim, I hope yours grow back for you too. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

John, like Wes says, my tansmitter is the shorter antennae, though I didn't clip it shorter.

Barry, tell me what you think of these pics. Did I have it too low? Notice the pinch that is about 3/4" way down from the tip, it's weird that it is only pinched one side though. The transmitter was wrapped with a layer of electrical tape to keep the batteries from falling out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00129.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00130.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00131.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/DSC00132.jpg

[wesleyc6]

I clipped the antennae about 1/2 inch below the tip of the tailfeathers.

[FredFogg]

Ling,

Well, that bird is ruined! I recommend you just give him to me and get another! LOL Seriously, sorry to see he lost a tail feather. I am by far no expert, but I think it will grow back. I don't see anything that you did wrong. I have had a transmitter on my coops the same way for the past 3 springs and have never had a bit of trouble, although I use the flat type tranmitter. I went out today to change the water in her bath pan and found where she had dropped the deck feather with the Marshall mount on it so she is well on her way to molting out for next March.

[John]

I think even with just that little bit past the end of the tail feather, it can still smack on stuff and cause problems. I really like the Marshall power max I use because it's stiff, stays right up against the deck feather, and is very short only coming to maybe a couple inches above the end of the feather. It was pricey but I think worth it.

[goshawks00]

Ling I dug out a couple of tiercil feathers that still hve the tailmounts attached.. From the quill end of the feather to the closest end of the tailmount to the quill end measures 1 1/16" on one feather and 1 1/8"
on the other... To clarify it better, I try to glue and crimp tailmounts literally within and 1/8th in. of touching the meat /skin of the actual tail...
The farther you go out on the tail the heavier the tran feels ( I believe) plus the more whipping action / weight /stress it puts on the shaft, and possibly becomes more irritating to the bird.

Did you take the trans off once you were at home or leave it attached?

BTW how far is the bend in the quill from the end of the quill .... On most tiercil goshawks the feathers are about 1 in. from the point where they are inside the skin to the end , if that makes sense... That being the case it looks like the bend was inside the skin part of the tail, meaning he couldn't have bent it there by pulling on it with his beak.
.02
Barry

[laj]

I love this forum, you guys are great! If the feather ever grows back I will give the marshall a try, until then it'll be leg mount for now. Short antennae, flat trans, and mount it a little higher up. Gotcha!

Fred, he'll have to be naked before I give him up lol

Barry, I am guestimating the bend is no more than an inch from the tip, maybe just 3/4" so you are probably right about not the bird pulling if the quill is one inch into the flesh. By your description I may have the mount about 1/4" lower than yours. I leave the trans on him.

[goshawks00]

Ling... just curious why do you leave the trans on him all the time..? I know the worry of losing him may cause you to do it, but it is also a possiblity that leaving it on may also be a reason for the ultimate loss of the feather.... It's movement, even ever so slightly, may very well have started to weaken the feather/skin connection, with the culmination taking place later.
At any rate the damage is done, hopefully it will grow back in without any problem... BTW It will be about a 1/2 to 3/4" shorter in the adult plummage. Good luck!!
Barry

[FredFogg]

Ling,

For what it is worth, her is Inya's setup.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/FredrickFogg/P8170009Small.jpg

[Hawkingcolorado]

Are you guys using the "medium" clip? Just curious.-Tim

[John]

I believe mine's the large clip.

[Hawkingcolorado]

I was just experimenting with my male Go's dropped feather. I crimped on a medium, and it really went on tight, but looked like it compressed the quill a little too much, if you ask me. I then put on a large, it went on with just a hair of movement, but not enough to twist it around. It doesn't seem to have squeezed the quill like the medium, but still seems like it would work well..... I think my Gos is about the same size as Ling's.The featherI used is the first one left of the decks......Tim

[laj]

Thanks Barry. Another lesson learned.

Thanks for the picture Fred, it really helps to know I didn't mount it too far off.

Tim, I don't even remember.

[laj]

I hope everyone is not expecting a kill story every time I update this log because I am going to disappoint you once again. I didn't hunted or bag him as much this past week and took him out once at 800 grams last Thursday and it was a big mistake. The reason I didn't want to cut him sharp is because I was waiting see if his deck will grow. Anyway, last Thursday it took me forever to get him back as he was chasing little birds around and would not even look at the lure unless I was under him. I track him thru several fields, a cow pasture, a couple of creeks before I recover him. When he finish with the lure I had him hop up to the fist to a half a quail for the long walk back because it was getting late and we had to dodge and weave thru this maze of vegetation. Next day he lost more weight than I anticipated (probably due to all the flying) when I introduce him to a crow my friend shot a while back. He was right at 780 and his manner was the worst I have ever seen. He mantle, he screamed and he even left the crow a couple of time to show me who is boss. Fortunately, he was already tethered and never reach me. I am not sure why all of sudden the resentment, I have never rob him, always feed him until he voluntarily step off. It maybe the quick weight drop, feeding him on the fist the day before and not hunting or bagging him enough which cause the aggression...or it could be the long over due hair cut that I had lol. On Sat he did much better and I fed him in front of a crowd during my son's 6th Bday party and today, I bagged him on a cock pheasant that was about no smaller than Sky at 795 grams in the back yard and he did not make one peep or even mantle. Weird. The funny part was, he dragged the pheasant that was still fighting him 10 ft away, go around the door and into the weathering area to continue the killing which took about 5 mins and settle down to eat in there. Maybe the next update we'll have a kill under our belt.boxingg

[laj]

Wow...it has been awhile since I update this log.

I've been working very hard with Sky on the aggression issue that he showed, sometimes twice a day. The changes in him is not always aggression, sometimes he showed fear after being aggressive. I raised his weight early on and things seem to be back on track then all of the sudden the aggression came back again. He would scream at me and smack the window bar when I enter. I then start to lower his weight again and work with him everyday since. I fed him in the giant hood, in the garage, and other different places, but more importantly feeding him smaller bites without him having to tear and no carcass to be mantle over, then gradually to bigger pieces. Because of the aggression early on, 90% of the time I fed him with me by his side and with the glove right underneath him or holding on to his jess to be safe. Other thing I did was to tether him to a screen perch in the other chamber and free lofted him whenever he had a big meal. Since tethering him to the screen perch, he hasn't been grabbing the bars in the last couple of weeks now, and best of all he is quiet as a mouse. We are making improvement.

Today he made his first wild kill. I fed him a little this morning knowing I would be back working with him some more in the afternoon. I came home 4 hours later and weather him while I doze off in the hammock next to him for an half an hour. I always put him in the giant hood before we do anything and on the way there he bated at something near the mews which I completely miss, I glance over and there was a bird around the corner hopping along near our wooden fence. He was already high but since we are at home and I could always grab a quail to bring him down if I had to. So "screw it" I said, I unclip him while hiding behind the mews and off he went. It all happened so quick I don't think the bird saw him coming or it couldn't make over the fence fast enough if it did see Sky coming. I made in quickly because he was already in high weight and the quarry was small enough for him to carry. He was quiet and didn't minded me making until he started to pluck the lifeless body, then started to mantle a little and wanted to carry somewhere else to eat. I traded him off to the already garnished lure and put him back in the mews...walking back out with a big grin on my face after I recorded this clip.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00041.flv

(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00041.flv)

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
Good for you guys!!! You've put in alot of work with Sky. Glad your'e both figureing it out!!!!-Tim

[wesleyc6]

Glad to hear it!!!!! Sounds like you have figured some things out!

[laj]

Thanks Tim. Thanks Wes.

Another thing I like to work on him, and it may be a little late, is to hood him. I made these two hoods a couple of days ago and it would be ashamed if I didn't at least attempt. I stitched a handful of dutch hoods before but was never completely satisfy with the finish product until I saw Ken Hookes glued weyburn thread and gave them a tried. What cha think? I do have a real hood from Ken ordered and it should be on the way soon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00136.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00137.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/falconry%20misc/DSC00138.jpg

[voslerdo]

WOW! What talent! Very good!

[FredFogg]

Ling, congrats on the first kill! Time to get him out and start killing regularly now! And wow, great looking hoods! I can assure, no matter how long and how many times I tried, I would never make a hood that looks that good. That is why I buy them from Ken! LOL

[laj]

So our season starts today, and what better way than to kick start it with a kill! Picked Sky up from his screen perch, he weighed in at 775 grams and surprisingly he never made a sound, he does make a couple of calls when he is free lofted and sees me coming. We flew my friend's male Harris first behind an elementary school over his dogs and my pup rat terrier. After 20 mins it caught something small and ate it on the tree...hunt over. We had about 40 mins left before Scott had to go to his daughters dance practice and I really needed his help if we are going to jump anything for Sky in the kind of cover we have early in the season. We headed to a small field behind the cemetery a few mins from home. The cover are just too thick to hunt from the fist so I had Sky on the T-Perch, which he rode around for about 25 mins and never once left it. We came down to the last patch of thicket and a mound of branches when Scott jumped a bunny and Sky left the perch like a rocket and made contact with the bunny just before it enter back into the cover, somehow the bunny manage to free itself and hop back out. Everything now seems like slow motion, I am making eye contact with the bunny coming straight at me with a determine Gos picking himself up almost instantly after the miss (one of the reason I like about a Gos) and was able to catch up quickly, the bunny was able to avoid collision with me and made a big mistake by going right around an abandon building and into the open instead back into cover where I was guarding. After another 20 or so feet after the turn the Gos finally met its target and either the Gos picked him up or the bunny jumped at the right time because now they were both airborne, only to return themselves to the ground tumbling. When they both come to a halt, the Gos changed his footing and firmly plant 8 talons on the bunny's neck and head. Game over. Sky did scream a little when he had his prize under control but did not make one peep from the moment I picked him up from the mews all the way to the end of the chase. I think I accomplish a quiet imprint. What I was mostly proud of wasn't the kill, but he did not leave his prize to attack me and let me stretch the bunny without any incident. After about min Sky slick down and starts to break in I clip him up and slid a loaded lure underneath him to trade him off after he took a few bite. Got home and found my daughter, son and wife doing the yard so I took the opportunity to feed Sky up in front of everyone. Shot this video at home and cropped him up to 930 grams...don't think we'll be hunting tomorrow.:D
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v117/lajudoka/Goshawk/falconry/?action=view&current=M2U00045.flv

[Hawkingcolorado]

Ling,
Way to go, man!! He'll be "dialed" for bunnies now.....He looks good on the kill, no mantling. Good job. I bet your'e one happy camperclapp. -Tim

[laj]

Ling,
Way to go, man!! He'll be "dialed" for bunnies now.....He looks good on the kill, no mantling. Good job. I bet your'e one happy camperclapp. -Tim
Thanks Tim. He sure surprised me yesterday, I thought I would get popped on the glove at least once when making in. I guess its just a weight thing, and I think found that window. Sky was fed to 930 grams around 7 PM and was at 835 grams 9 AM this morning. He was not a happy camper this morning when I went in to weigh him. He seems to get aggressive the day after he gets a big meal on a carcass. I am not sure if its just high weight or/and my handling error, but I will no longer feed him on a carcass and just trade him off to his daily ration.

[FredFogg]

FREAKING AWESOME! clappJust read this and am jacked up! Ling, you have done a great job with him! So now, are you going to Amarillo with us? :D

[laj]

FREAKING AWESOME! clappJust read this and am jacked up! Ling, you have done a great job with him! So now, are you going to Amarillo with us? :D

Thanks Fred. I would love to and still working out the details. My membership is still under "review" and my brother is leaving for his vacation next month and won't return till around the 25th...somebody has to stay behind to run the business. Fill me in when you know more on who is going with whom and if there is room for one more. If I could schedule to leave on time and no spot left for me to go with you guys then I will try to convince Robert to go with me. You and Dan are driving out together, correct? How about Damon, is he going with Larry?

[laj]

Sky was acting up a little when I went to weigh him this morning. By 4:30 he was down to 773 grams hopped onto my fist without much fuss. We met up with two other falconers flying their Harris' at a new field. We didn't have much flying time, he did chase a few dickey birds and one of them I thought for sure he had it. He flew around and goofed off for a little bit after the second miss and since there were no tree within the field he landed on the ground a few minutes later. Picked him up and a few minutes later he chased a bunny that beat him to the cover and again he did a big circle and landed on the ground. I am confuse, landing on the ground is a sign of low but I thought I was flying him pretty high. I put him away till the Harris' got their chance and call him to the lure and fed him up as it was already getting dark.

Due to an illness in the family I don't think I have time to fly him much longer, maybe another month max. I don't consider myself a religious person, but this time, and if you are, please pray for my dad.

[RTJim]

How is sky doing? Haven't heard for awhile..............jm

[laj]

How is sky doing? Haven't heard for awhile..............jm

Jim, Sky is still with Fred.

My dad was diagnosed with liver cancer again back in September 08 and when I found out it was going to be terminal I knew I had to spend every waking minute with him, so I loan Sky to Fred. My two brothers and I all rotated and took several months off work just to be with him. My father passed away May '09. RIP dad.

I'll most likely have Sky back this winter when Fred trap a Prairie or lucky enough for the peregrine take. Until then I'll either trap an RT or fly a big female Harris this fall.

[tumble]

Ling, I didn't realize your dad had passed so recently. My condolences. I imagine he was a great guy based on what I've seen in you.

[Lee Slikkers]

Ling, my sympathies as well...

[FredFogg]

A little update on Sky! I flew him last year and to say I have a little accipiter experience is an understatement. I flew an imprint coops for 3 seasons and killed a lot of stuff with her, concentrating mostly on carhawking her at starlings, grackles and crows, which she caught a bunch of. My imprinting wasn't the best and I flew her too high the first season which contributed to a lot of the issues. I received Sky as my first experience with a gos and from talking to Ling and reading his thread, he was a pretty normal imprint, but for some reason was scared to death of me and my bare hands. We worked on that through the season, but he has always shown fear of me and still does (maybe I am just too damn ugly). I flew him on chukars out of the launcher and the longest and best flight was one where he missed as the chukar came out of the launcher and flew straight at us, Sky turned on a dime and tail chased him all the way across an open meadow and out of sight over the hill. Out came the receiver and I found him down the embankment plucking his catch. I would estimate it was over 500 yards. He caught a few rabbits early in the season off the fist, but finding those types of flights here in NC are very difficult. I flew him probably 4 times a week at ducks on small ponds but he just wouldn't connect. I started carhawing him on crows on the way to the ponds and on the way home and he caught about 12 crows in the last part of January through the middle of February. Our season closes the end of February so near the end of February we had the perfect slip on a pair of mallards and I flushed them and he left the fist, flew right up the arse of the hen and then veered off. To say I was frustrated and disappointed, well, I put him up for the molt. He has all but 2 primaries in on each wing and 8 tail feathers in and 4 to go. I plan on trying to get him catching ducks and am going to give him a few pheasant or chukar baggies out of the launcher but have the launcher on a float in the middle of a pond, hopefully, catching something coming up out of the water will turn on the light for him. If I am successful at getting him on ducks early in the season, I will give him back to Ling so he continue flying him at ducks. If I don't, I will work harder on it up until I go out west to trap a prairie in late November. Here are a few pictures of him from today, he was just getting in the bath pan when I went out to take them. He hopped out and up onto the perch.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/FredrickFogg/P7060003.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/FredrickFogg/P7060002.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/FredrickFogg/P7060007.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/FredrickFogg/P7060006.jpg

[tumble]

Thanks for the post, Fred. He's looking great!

[laj]

Thanks for your condolences, guys.

I am already losing sleep getting ready for this season!

Thanks for the update, Fred.