#hawking

Took a few weeks off due to holidays, family, mental health, weather, and a cold (thankfully not covid). Finally got back out with the bird today, didn’t expect much since it was her first day flying since the last hunt, but she got it done despite being out of shape.

Sorry for the terrible video. I almost got the whole thing but I was focused on her and the squirrel, not so much what my hand was doing. Still I got part of the hunt and the catch (it bailed and tried to run).

Decided to take Buffy out first thing this morning for another hunt. Had some great flights, but many of the squirrels this late in the game seem to be smart enough to make it into holes or hide in the branches of downed trees, where it’s too thick for the hawk to reach them. Buffy was determined to keep trying though, and I did my best to keep flushing. She was almost 100 feet up in a tree while I was knocking around below. Managed to get this one moving, and I’m honestly still amazed she managed to grab it. That was one heck of a dive! Glad I was able to reach her and help out because she barely had it, but was determined not to let go.

Hunting this bird has really restored a lot of what I lost in my earlier falconry seasons. I’m still not where I should be mentally, but I’m really enjoying myself, even if we don’t catch anything. She puts on a good show and tries her best and I always get to see some cool flights, even if we don’t put game in the bag. Obviously I enjoy her success even more, but I’m slowly finding my way back to myself and who I want to be as a falconer.

Took out another fox squirrel yesterday. I guess after her bite, Buffy decided to drown this one. Found her in a small creek after crossing a ~30’ creek haha. I was very pleased to have a large downed tree to walk across, instead of swimming.

We had a hell of a hunt today. Flew Buffy for just over 2 hours. We chased one squirrel in the same tree (video) for probably an hour. Another squirrel chase resulted in her crashing brush so hard she broke her bell off. Finally my phone was dying and it was getting late so I started working my way back to the house. Was about to call her to the glove when I saw movement in the tree she was in. Another squirrel! I ran back and between the two of us, she managed to grab this one.

However, she got it in the tree. 2nd to last pic. It was a struggle. I begged her to come down so I could help her dispatch. Eventually she did come down. By the time I got to her, Buffy was completely covered in her own blood. It was all over her tail, pouring down her leg, on her beak and on the squirrel. She was a bit woozy on the kill so I made in with tidbits, and traded her off. She was so good even on the walk back. Got her cleaned up at the house. Thankfully the bite clotted quickly. She’ll get a day or two or rest before we’re back at it. The bite should heal up just fine. I was super worried at first, but with how easy it patched up I think it looked worse than it was.

My first bird Tyr set a personal record of a 5 minute hunt. Today this girl broke that record, taking the first squirrel we flushed to the ground in 3.5 minutes. #falcrony

Another squirrel down.

I was debating sharing this because honestly after a while all these squirrel pictures feel the same.

Still, I’m proud of this bird and the way our season is going. After a few bad seasons, and one ‘meh’ season where I was only able to get 5 squirrels before it was over, I’m finally starting to feel like a falconer again. I don’t believe falconry is ‘all about the numbers’, but at the same time, I do like the numbers. I like to see my birds learn, and grow, and improve. I enjoy watching the flights as they grow more skilled and so does the quarry. I enjoy feeling successful with my birds, and I take enjoyment in their success. That’s a lot of what makes falconry fun for me.

It’s nice to finally find my groove again! This bird is fun and I’m having a blast. I’m even looking forward to trying a new species next season, without the doom and gloom I’ve been feeling the past couple years. I think I’m finally getting some of my confidence back.

Another fox squirrel down. This girl is shaping up quite nicely.

Celebrating World Falconry Day today with my/our first fox squirrel!!! I am THRILLED.

Another one down! Finally got the catch on video.