Western MA falconer joining

[jal4470]

My Name is Jacob and I am a falconer. . .

Seriously, I am currently flying in Western MA near the MA, NH, VT border. I am hoping to find some people in the area who are flying small hawks on sparrows and starlings or pigeons. I have flown a few red tails, both male and female mostly on squirrels with a few bunnies thrown in. I am trying to branch out into the small hawks, especially merlins but finding I could use some help to really get the most out of them. I live and work on a 250 acre turf and small grain(wheat, barley and spelt) farm. If you are in the area and don't mind giving advice I would love to meet up with some local falconers. I have some awesome fields to fly in.

[everetkhorton]

Jacob. Glad to hear you are branching out. I wish I had when I was younger but we did not have wild take then. Have fun.

[psalvatore]

i can't think of anyone who is micro hawking in MA. i think VT may have a guy who flies a merlin on sparrows/starlings. im also from MA the eastern section. good luck.

[jal4470]

Pat,

Do you trap any of the marshes in N.E. MA? I see some merlins here in the CT river valley but nothing like on the coasts. I am thinking of taking a couple of weekends in Sept to trap in the eastern part of the state, and trap here during the week before and after work. Do you know anyone who might like some company trapping this fall?

[Saluqi]

Welcome to NAFEX. I think Jacob (http://www.nafex.net/showthread.php?t=8080) has flown some merlins, but I could be wrong....

[mainefalconer]

Pat, The guy you're talking about in Vermont is Rob Waite.
Jacob, if you want to talk to Rob, he manages the British School of Falconry in Manchester.

And hey Paul! What about ME man?! I've flown merlins, and I'm right here too!

Just kidding. I already know Jacob (actually.... both Jacobs that have been mentioned in this thread)

If I don't pull a sharpie from a nest this week, I'll be training a new merlin this year as well. I need something to entertain me between gos flights!

Small bird hawking will always be my biggest passion.

[jal4470]

Scott,

I still appreciate you taking me out trapping last fall. I learned a lot just seeing your set up. I am going to try to mimic what I saw here on the farm. I have the nets already tied and I am half way through building the bownet. Thanks again.

Are you pulling an eyeas this year or will you be trapping one this fall?

[psalvatore]

i wouldn't mind watching you trap a merlin..me im an apprentice so redtail for me but redtails can be on the marshes. talk to jay he hawks the marshes around northeast MA with a male gyr/pere and knows them fairly well. he could probably show you a good spot to set up a dho ghazza.

[mainefalconer]

Hey, not a problem man. It's always good to hang with other falconers. I think I'm going to have a lot of company at my trapping station again this year. I've got a couple of good shots of you releasing a bird from that day, I should email you.