Fun Hawking Weekend!

[KidK]

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

Friday afternoon, Nov 14th:

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

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

Saturday, Nov 15th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the hero shots!

Joe Ballone and Mystic
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0009.jpg

Joe Ballone and Sponsor Kenn Filkins
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0019.jpg

Mystic, Passage Female Redtail
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0023.jpg

The Crew (L-R) Caleb, Jason, Jeff, Ben, Joe w/ Mystic, Dan, Chris, Kenn, Dan, Ronni
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0026.jpg

The Crew (L-R) Ronni, Kory, Joe, Jason, Jeff w/ Jager, Dan, Dan, Chris, Caleb, Ben
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0034.jpg

The Crew (L-R) Dan, Joe, Jason, Kenn Filkins and Sadie, Ben, Dan, Caleb, Ronni, Chris
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0037.jpg

Caleb and Abby
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/korykoch/November0042.jpg

[voslerdo]

Great pics! Congrats on such a great day!

[jballone]

Everyone,

I had a great time this weekend in Mount Pleasant and St.Johns. I've never seen so many many rabbits in such a short period of time :D

There was great fellowship and some truly awesome flights by all the birds. I can't wait to do it again!

Here's a couple more pics...
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2158/imgp0421im5.jpg
Kenn Filkins with Sadie (FHH) and her bunny

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7846/imgp0419jr6.jpg
Jeff Alkier and his hunting team (Jager: MRT & Cooper:wirehair). It only took Jager about 10 minutes to connect with this bunny. Good Work!

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/414/imgp0402tt6.jpg
Kenn Filkins (my sponsor), Mystic & Me - This is her second bunny of the wekend.

[everetkhorton]

Joe:
Looks like Mystic is not having any trouble with rabbits. Was she at the same wt. you was flying her at sqr.?

[Kenn Filkins]

This was an awesome weekend... Thanks to Kory for organizing the activities and all the great food at his home!

I am already looking forward to the next trip!

THANKS again, Kory.

[Bryant Tarr]

Man, wish I could have been there for that!!!! :)

[sakerjack]

Great job!! Quite the collection of hawkers!!

[jballone]

Joe:
Looks like Mystic is not having any trouble with rabbits. Was she at the same wt. you was flying her at sqr.?

The first day she was a bit lower (1105gr) than when she's gone after squirrel and the second day she was higher (1125 +/-) and had poor fist response but followed OK and seemed to catch on that we were there for her. She also learned that "Ho Ho Ho" means game is over here. All in all, I could not have asked for a better scenario for her and rabbit.

I also got a roadkill squirrel to let her "kill" it IN the tree. I hope that along with a more appropriate flying weight will help get her to seal the deal for squirrels.

[KidK]

Kenn,

Thanks for coming down and bringing Jason.. He is a great guy and it was fun to have him along. I had a great time with you guys! (welc)

Bryant,

It would have been even more fun to have you along.. Remember, we are only a 12 hour drive away!! Seriously, you should fly into Madison on the 12th or 13th, spend some time with the fam, I'll pick you up and we can go to the WFA meet with Aaron for a couple days.. That would be a hoot..:eek:

Ken,

We only had 6 birds, but we had a great time and each bird got plenty of air time. We also were able to take 4 people out that have recently became interested in the sport and show them how we fly rabbits in central Michigan. They really enjoyed themselves.:D

Joe,

Mystic did a great job, as did you..clappYou guys are awesome!haill

Scott,

We would really like to show you some fun hawking this winter here in Michigan. Give me a shout if you are going to be through this way in December. I can get you on game here in Mount Pleasant as well as point you in the right directions in other parts of the state. And, of course, we would like it if you made it to our Winter Meet.:D

[Chris L.]

Looks like a ton of fun guys... thanks for sharing the pictures...

i like seeing the faces the go with the names

[Hawkingcolorado]

There's alot of smiling faces in those pics!!! Sounds like a great weekend!clapp

[redtailflyer]

Congrats looks like fun!!!!