Falconry and hunting hawks

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by naturelover

hi welcome to the site,i agree with what you have said about a breeding program for b.o.p we need to do something the way they are dieing out.

Most of our birds of prey are doing very well at present, with higher populations than for many decades, both from natural expansion, eg. buzzard, Peregrine, Hobby + from re-introduction schemes used for Red Kite + White-tailed Eagle.

Some species aren't doing so well, such as declining Kestrels + most notably the illegally persecuted Hen Harrier in the news again this week.

[austringer]

hi all all b.o.p.s kill to eat. and that is the real world i see that there are some like minded people on here . but that is they opinions . i am a falconer . and i have been practicing falconry now for a good number of years . and myself and the fellow falconers i do know are very much responsable falconers . whill [yes ] there is a minority of cowboys out there and us as falconers try to stamp out that kind of behaviour . and all what are birds catch are killed in a humane way

[bhawk]

ive been a falconer for many years and have worked in the biggest breeding projects in this country and must point out that firstly as conservationists (which is what falconers are primarily) we get no support from the government or certain NGO's such as the rspb, if it wasnt for falconers the european eagle owl, Goshawk, peregrine, would not be at such high numbers, as for peregrines i must point out most blatantly THEY ARE NOT RARE!!! peregrines are at their highest numbers ever in the uk, the uk has a certain capacity for peregrines and we are full...there are more peregrines per square mile in cumbria and northhumberland than anywhere in the world, i see peregrines very often because i am breeding them, our birds attract wild ones, i see a different wild peregrine twice a week, the reason people dont see them is that they are generally secretive, ignore all the [deleted] propoganda the r.s.p.b say, ive seen them claim that peregrines are worth £300,000 when i can buy a tiercel for £300.
also the 'poor chicks' they eat at falconry centres are cock chickens, they dont develop fast or lay eggs so are therefore useless in the chicken industry, they are basically industrial waste from the factories that pump out the chicken you eat, they used to get incinerated but are now used as animal food, surely thats better than burning them!

ben

[ayrshiretaxidermy]

Ok, well i have read this thread, and im quite shocked at comments made by some.

Let me try and clear up a few things.

Most falconers care passionately about their birds, and just as passionately about wild raptors. No bird is ever flown intentionally at a non-game/vermin species. Its a fact however that accidents sometimes happen. The Barn Owl example - These things happen in the wild, whether its by another raptor, vehicle etc.

Dead baby chickens These are a by-product of mass egg production. They are actually day old cockerels, which would be culled anyway.

Seems some people are of the opinion that raptors are rare these days. The fact is that Peregrines are more common than ever. I know of 4 nest sites within a 5 mile radius of my home. Buzzards, well i can count upwards of 20 on a drive into Glasgow. Kestrels, as common as ever. Sparrowhawks, the same. Just cos you dont see them, or choose to believe the RSPB, doesnt mean that the numbers arent on the increase. Its actually in the RSPB's interest to have you believe the opposite.

Open invite, if anyones genuinely interest in watching/handling falcons up close and personal, and are in my area (SW Scotland), feel free to send me a private message.

[the_mad_hunter]

Originally Posted by bhawk

ive been a falconer for many years and have worked in the biggest breeding projects in this country and must point out that firstly as conservationists (which is what falconers are primarily) we get no support from the government or certain NGO's such as the rspb, if it wasnt for falconers the european eagle owl, Goshawk, peregrine, would not be at such high numbers, as for peregrines i must point out most blatantly THEY ARE NOT RARE!!! peregrines are at their highest numbers ever in the uk, the uk has a certain capacity for peregrines and we are full...there are more peregrines per square mile in cumbria and northhumberland than anywhere in the world, i see peregrines very often because i am breeding them, our birds attract wild ones, i see a different wild peregrine twice a week, the reason people dont see them is that they are generally secretive, ignore all the b*llsh*t propoganda the r.s.p.b say, ive seen them claim that peregrines are worth £300,000 when i can buy a tiercel for £300.
also the 'poor chicks' they eat at falconry centres are cock chickens, they dont develop fast or lay eggs so are therefore useless in the chicken industry, they are basically industrial waste from the factories that pump out the chicken you eat, they used to get incinerated but are now used as animal food, surely thats better than burning them!

ben

bhawk well done for sticking up for us falconers ...most people see the displays and dont understand that we have a daily routine to care for and manage these beautiful birds ...also i would like to add that these birds dont just have a diet of chicks but also the prey it catches ...i fly my hawk onto rabbits on farmland to control the population ....evrything for my hawk is funded straight out of my wages ..i am a very big wildlife lover ..but the rabbit population has grown out of control due to many years ago the buzzards and other birds of prey were almost wiped out due to farmers (if there are any farmers on here i am not slating you ) putting down poisons that the birds were living off since then the rabbits have become out of control ...mixy only wipes out a certin percent of the population each year ..the last i heard that the population was estimated at 40m ...please understand also the sport as everybody calls it dates back to before christ ..falconry is an art and is an art we must keep going ..and if you want free range food then this is a good way of getting it ..i believe it is called living off the fat of the land ..

[bhawk]

when it comes to hunting so many people do not realise many things, firstly i may hunt rabbit, hare, fox, deer etc but that does not mean i hate them in any way, in fact i truly believe i can appreciate them more than all the 'tree-huggers' i have the greatest respect for them and only ever have a fair hunt, i have seen them at their best and if my hawk doesnt catch them they deserve to live! its all how nature plays it, plus every animal i kill i eat, they supply me with food and therefore i have the respect that the food im eating was a living animal unlike all the packaged meat people eat nowadays, how many people think about the cow they are eating, i have a link and fully appreciate that animals life and death and it makes you appreciate the cost of your food, not in money though! also people do not realise the economical reasons for hunting, rabbits around here are so rife that last year nearly 3/4 of a farmers crop were devastated, now i will happily control them for him as it is saving his livelyhood too and i also drop him off the odd rabbit or two for food aswel. and one thing i must say is that in such an expensive country and me being young i find it hard to fund living nowadays and im reluctant to get into debt so a free meal is never frowned upon, especially when its so tasty!

anyway thats my little rant over, to be honest i would love a 'anti-hunting' person to come on here and give a clear debate with no name-calling or emotive [deleted] just common-sense and logic. anyone wish to pick up the debate feel free!

[naturelover]

i am with you on that one,well said.

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by naturelover

i am with you on that one,well said.

Sorry this is in answer to birchy.

[bhawk]

Originally Posted by naturelover

i am with you on that one,well said.

thank god someone is, the amount of people who think its impossible to have respect for a creature yet hunt it is ridiculous. i love animals and hunting is a hobby of mine. far too many people live in a false world were all animals have cute lil fluffy lives! its not true!!! nature is life AND death.

[the_mad_hunter]

Originally Posted by bhawk

thank god someone is, the amount of people who think its impossible to have respect for a creature yet hunt it is ridiculous. i love animals and hunting is a hobby of mine. far too many people live in a false world were all animals have cute lil fluffy lives! its not true!!! nature is life AND death.

here here bhawk ...i also agree with you on what you have said ...it is about time the world woke up and understood the true side of falconry ...if my hawk misses its prey than fair play ..i never rob her of the meal she has caught but also i do eat what gets killed ...my farmers that i speak to and control the rabbits for are very greatful for doing this in the most humain way