Okay guys as no section just going to put i here sorry.Wandering if anyone here has a Harris Hawk or knows about them.My o/h is driving me mad as hes wanting to get one .just wandering what its like to have one around??/ into horses and cute small pets not sure about hawks and causing probs x

They need a lot of care, as much as a dog! you best bet is to pm hawksport

Hi my friend owns a Harris Hawk, and can I just say it is a life time committment and not for the faint hearted, they have to be trained and flown/or used for hunting. My advice to your O/H is try and have a word with a falconer, as he will know his business and he will then let you know the advantages or disadvantages. I would imagine it is not something you would enter it lightly and you would need a fairly large avairy in the garden to house the hawk in. I would advise doing plenty of research first to find out as much information as you can.

__________________
A Dog's love is unconditional! and wuff from Alfie Mini black Schnauzer, born 9/10/09. R.I.P Charlie, Harvey and Bobby.

whats your OHs reasons for wanting one? These are predators, If its only because they look good, I would totally forget it. They need to be hunted.

I much prefer to see such animals where they should be, but maybe someone with better knowledge will be along shortly.

__________________

I have no idea about Hawks my o/h has friend who breeds and uses them for pest control so hes getting advice from exp. handler ...just me I dont do birds maybe I should be more understanding thus would like more info x OOppps do have own land for flying and hunting

I looked into it years ago as I love falconry, but after a huuuge amount of research and a really good look at my circumstances I decided it would be better to do falconry days instead - far cheaper, far less of a tie and alot less work, alot less of my time gone too!!! - plus the fact they live 40 odd years so a long term commitment!!!
A good book to read would be Jemma Parry-Jones book on falconry to name but one.
You need an aviary for molting time when you can't fly them and for living when not being hunted etc, transport box, telemetry, accurate weighing equipment, a good avian vet, a good supply of mice/chicks, vitamins etc. Hawks need to be kept very light in order to trigger their hunger responses to make them hunt - each bird has a different hunting weight and it can vary on age, time of year etc - get it wrong even by a few grams and you could be sat under a tree for a couple of days until your bird has starved itself enough to want to fly again!!!! - hence the telemetry needed to find the darn thing in the first place!!! You need to be good out in the countryside in order to find quarry to hunt in the first place, and have land owners permission or your own land.
I'd do some time with a falconer - there are courses available too, and really look into it - not something to take on on a whim!!!!
I now have a cockatoo instead of a hawk - go figure!!!!
Posted at the same time as you! - if he has all the right back-up and is really sure and has all the facilities then great, just not animals for a novice!!

__________________

Thanks so much for advice dont want to be the uncareing/nasty other half but I just dont know anything about the birds .Know he has the know how and back up but worry about how it will effect us as a couple etc... eeekkkk does that sound mad

What do you want to know

__________________

This may sound mad but never had anything to do with hawks so cant say that I just dont like them the thing is I just dont think that I like birds or rather I fear them .So I have the prob. not getting in his way if thats what he wants to do thats fine but may have to do that without me around...I know I am sad just fear of the unknown I guess

Well it's a bit late to be thinking of having one this coming season. What he ought to do really is find someone willing to mentor him for at least the next year and then see how he feels about it. It's not just a matter of keeping the hawk, there's also the fact he is going to be killing things that then have to be eaten

My female Harris and male Saker

Attached Images

	wdisplayimage.php.jpg (217.4 KB, 14 views)
	xdisplayimage.php.jpg (147.0 KB, 13 views)

__________________