the dynamic (or deadly) duo

[Andrea Chen]

I'm celebrating the second *truly* cooperative catch by Squeaky &
Polya. This time it was a jackrabbit. Squeaky went after it first,
grabbed but got thrown off. Polya followed shortly after and got a
better hold. Squeaks then came in and got the other end, and they had
it well under control by the time David, then I, got there.
Unfortunately after about 20 seconds of trying to shuffle the birds
off the rabbit, it started shuddering and died within 10 seconds. It
was later found to be hosting some parasites, which probably made it
weak.

I opened up the side of the rabbit and they were very polite to each
other, no squabbling even though the exposed flesh area was not large.
While they were working on the front end I cut off the back legs and
gave one to each.

Now I'm a little worried. This one notwithstanding, I'm killing a lot
more game than I used to and I've had to turn on the big freezer...
with a single bird I can release a lot of game, but the two of them
can inflict a lot of damage on a single quarry. I suppose there's not
much to be done about this except to be there as quickly as I can with
decent take-off pieces, eh?

-andrea-

[JCattoor]

I wish I had a big freezer. All that meat will come in handy during the
molt but right now it takes up a lot of space. Do you live near any less
successful falconers in need of hawk food and/or jump-up/restrained pursuit
treats? ;)

It's a rare quarry item that gets away so unscathed as to have no problems
once it escapes..

You could open a frozen Jackrabbit meat business and compete against the
quail racket! - OK maybe not...

J

Post by Andrea Chen
I'm celebrating the second *truly* cooperative catch by Squeaky &
Polya. This time it was a jackrabbit. Squeaky went after it first,
grabbed but got thrown off. Polya followed shortly after and got a
better hold. Squeaks then came in and got the other end, and they had
it well under control by the time David, then I, got there.
Unfortunately after about 20 seconds of trying to shuffle the birds
off the rabbit, it started shuddering and died within 10 seconds. It
was later found to be hosting some parasites, which probably made it
weak.
I opened up the side of the rabbit and they were very polite to each
other, no squabbling even though the exposed flesh area was not large.
While they were working on the front end I cut off the back legs and
gave one to each.
Now I'm a little worried. This one notwithstanding, I'm killing a lot
more game than I used to and I've had to turn on the big freezer...
with a single bird I can release a lot of game, but the two of them
can inflict a lot of damage on a single quarry. I suppose there's not
much to be done about this except to be there as quickly as I can with
decent take-off pieces, eh?
-andrea-

[Andrea Chen]

Post by JCattoor
I wish I had a big freezer. All that meat will come in handy during the
molt but right now it takes up a lot of space. Do you live near any less
successful falconers in need of hawk food and/or jump-up/restrained pursuit
treats? ;)

Meat is a tricky thing to offer to established falconers, it can hurt
their pride if they think they are seen as either being too poor to
buy food or not catching enough game. Apprentices however are really
appreciative.

I once gave frozen jacks to a local wildlife museum. They have
bobcats. However, after realizing that bobcats are mammals also, :) I
thought it was better that I didn't, since I hadn't checked the jacks
for parasites. (I really hope a good long freeze killed them and I
didn't give the bobcats worms.)

Post by JCattoor
It's a rare quarry item that gets away so unscathed as to have no problems
once it escapes..

That's because you have a redtail. I killed a lot of quarry when I
had a redtail, but Harrises, especially the tiercel, don't inflict
nearly as much damage. Squeaks is also very good about stepping off,
Polya is a little harder but he comes off sooner or later.

Being urban I have a limited game population which I would really like
to maintain. I have known falconers who, when the field gets
seriously marked for development, kidnap quarry and release it in
other fields. I have not done this myself but strongly agree with the
driving principle.

-andrea-