Hello after 41 years of wondering about harris hawks and what it would be like to keeping one.I am thinking of getting a bird to train and keep i am not taking this thought in a hap hazzard way.I have read up on the ins and outs of keeping one and will be going to my first falcon experance next month so i will be asking lots of questions while there .But i was wondering if there are any people on here that keep them also if anyone was around my area bournemouth dorset like i said at beginning of thread i want to do alot of research before getting one many thanks aaron

Harris and a Saker here

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wow what a bird she /he looks so proud dogs not bad either

In awe of those pics

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what lovely pics of both birds.Done a bit of falconry myself but never owed my own bird helped out with friend's Harris Kai when he's on holiday or go out to fly her

Which center are you doing your experience day at?
I have put a deposit down for one of these this year a Gyr/Saker hybid, should get it around the end of August if the breeding goes well

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Hi what a lovely pic. My day will be with forest falconry in new forest .Im trying to sort out a mentor or at least someone to go out with i do not want hands on just want to watch and learn .I did not know how hard it would be to get help in the sport .Have been looking at doing a five day course also there does not seem to be any clubs near me.

You will find it hard to find a mentor now because most people have about finnished flying now untill untill September time

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why do they only fly the bop for so many months i would of thought in the wild birds fly every day ie to hunt sorry to sound stupid but need to ask so i learn

1st Because one of the most important things about hunting is conservation and everything is breeding through spring and summer.
2nd Through spring and summer birds are moulting and growing feathers are easily damaged. A broken feather or 2 won't hurt a wild bird but you should always take pide in the condition of a trained falcon/hawk.
3rd There is too much cover, quarry is hard to see, even harder to get hold of and hawks are easily lost.
4th It gives you a chance to catch up on everything that you have neglected through autum and winter.

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