Red tailed hawk encounter

[Gizzard of Oz]

This hawk came to the yard to check out our flock. It turned out to be an escape from two towns over. We were able to get him to a local refuge and they tracked down the rightful handler. Amazing bird. No harm to any parties involved.

 

[aart]

WOW...it must have had jesses attached to legs?

 

[Gizzard of Oz]

Yeah, we put the chickens up in the coop, I grabbed the jesses and walked the hawk right into the run- where he perched. You can see the hens above and the red tail below.

 

[Rocky64]

That's so cool, I wanted to get into falconry, but after researching it a bit I found out that it's a lot of work(7 plus years as an apprentice, and other training) and a whole ton of money for housing, permits, food, ect...
Maybe when I'm retired... Sigh.

 

[keesmom]

Nice! There's something you don't see every day.

 

[Honey B]

Wow! That was a different kind of hawk encounter! Glad you kept a cool head and everything worked out for the best.

 

[aart]

Wonders how the hawk got 'lost' from it's handler?

 

[Honey B]

Wonders how the hawk got 'lost' from it's handler?

It is actually very easy to get separated from your hawk. If the hawk flys off to check something out , it might take the handler a bit longer to navigate the terrain this losing the hawk. Many novice falconers also do not have their Hawks weight completely figured out before free flight which can also lead to a "separation". It is a delicate balance between falconer and hawk, one that takes a good deal of time to perfect.

 

[sourland]

Several years ago a redtail with jesses appeared in a tree in my back yard. It eventually flew away. I worried that it's jesses probably became tangled in something causing the bird to die.

 

[maddog3355]

A lot of people use tracking systems on the Hawks and falcons.