Duck hunting today

[Chris Hagenlocher]

Well, for us falconers duck season is still open here in Missouri. Today was a gorgeous day- clear and cold. I went hawking with a friend- and we flew his Peale's Peregrine. It's been doing well this season, taking 25 ducks on 28 slips (if I remember correctly)

Today's flight came off a little pothole of water that remained unfrozen after we had 22 degree temps last night. We were actually stalking a different pond, that had a ton of mallards on it- but we flushed ducks on this pond which we had overlooked, so we unhooded the bird and watched as it circled higher and higher.

A stoop around 140 mph closed the deal on this greenhead.



Don't worry, still about another week left... =)

 

[Kevin Weir]

Chris,

That'd be something to remember for a LONG time, tagging along on a hunt with a falcon. It seems that the sport of falconry takes a the term patience and dedication to a whole new level.

 

[Chris Hagenlocher]

This photobucket thing really works Dave!!!

Merlin

Another one of the Peregrine

 

[Dani]

Chris-

Have you ever taken a speed detector out with you hunting to see how much speed the birds really are getting? I think that would be a cool project to do. Don't know what it would be good for...but some sort of ornithology class might make something out of that. If nothing else, it would be cool to know how fast the different birds generally average. The birds are gorgeous btw

 

[Dwight Harley]

Chris,
That is incredibly cool! What a magnificent bird. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Bob B]

Holly cow Chris,
25 birds! That thing kills more ducks than my 870. Very cool pictures.
I read somewhere that the birds flight speed is not as high as some had assumed but the final killing move has a short fast swing of the outstretched legs which in essence increases the strike speed to the target. Don't remember who the researcher was but I believe the report had used high speed photography to do some math on the physiology of the kill move.
Cool stuff and great pictures. Have a great finish to your season.

 

[jwking]

Chris
How about one of those little cameras for a falcon view ? That would be cooooooooool !



of course training the bird to turn it on , set focus , check film , lighting , might be a little tough.

 

[Lee Slikkers]

Chris, pretty damn sweet stuff you got there...

Couple questions, so have you taken the step and bitten the bullet yet on the whole Falconry thing or are you living vicariously through that friend of yours?

Also, whose Merlin? I plan on attempting one of those REAL soon. In what state was the Merlin trapped?

Drop me an email if ya want... Lees@s2yachts.com

Thanks!

Lee

 

[Chris Hagenlocher]

Lee,

I'll email you tonight when I get a chance... Yep, I've bitten the bullet- passed my test and am working on building my mews and getting my equipment inspected-

My friend got his merlin from a breeder on the west coast a couple days ago...

I'll shoot you an email tonight-

 

[Lee Slikkers]

Excellent news Chris!!! Congrats and welcome to the "ride of a life time!"

I look forward to hearing from you.

Lee

 

[chuck huff]

Wow I have often wondered and never seen or heard of anybody hunting using this method. Outstanding pictures do you have any more from seasons past? Talking about hunting wow.
Regards,
Chuck

 

[Chris Hagenlocher]

Chuck,

I am relatively new to the sport of falconry, but Lee Slikkers may have some neat pictures to share. There are a few other guys on here who have had birds, and probably have some sweet shots on their computer or waiting to be scanned. I have a bunch that I'm trying to sort through, so when I get back on my normal computer after vacation, I'll post some more up. Glad you enjoyed the pics.

 

[Dave Parks]

Neat photo's Chris and congradulations on passing the exam. I had a nice passage tiercel Merlin in the front yard about 3 weeks ago on his way through. He dod not seem too concerned about me looking at him.

The photo's of the Peregrin bring back thougts of the good old days when we could go out and trap our own birds. I don't recall if I told you before, but our small group of falconers (all of us were still in high school) formed a club called the "Imperial Falconers Club" back in 1957. It was the first State Chartered Falconry Club in the State of California. As far as I know it is still registered with the State of California.

You may not realize it right now , but you are about to enter a life long passion that few ever attempt, good luck and enjoy. BTW my screen perch was in my bedroom and I awoke each morning to the jingle of hawks bells, a most pleasant sound to a falconer.

Dave