FALCONRY: Why you shouldn’t get an eagle to fly!

[@wesleyworley8982]

As aggravating and complex as the licensing and regulation process is in the USA, it does ensure that the birds are protected and that you have the experience and resources for the bird you want to fly. To fly a Golden in America, you have to have at minimum seven years falconry experience.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Deffo ; a half way point between USA lawns and out freedom would Work well , as you say it’s the birds that suffer and even falconry itself

[@jasonreid3029]

Very good video Dave! I successfully flew a first year female golden eagle here in the USA this past season taking wild white tailed jackrabbits. I cannot stress enough how much I agree with your assessment, even with my limited experience. The number of slips an eagle needs to learn to be successful (and that really needs to be hares) and the amount of work they are just can’t be overstated. They are a commitment that has no other equal in falconry. I agree wholeheartedly… if you want an eagle, just don’t. Not after a couple years of going out with folks successfully flying and taking game with them and making sure ALL the factors needed are in place for you

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cheers: and well done; even harder to achieve over there!

[@ramsayward]

This video should be getting a lot more coverage. I've got no desires to ever keep a Golden Eagle . I've helped to cast one in the past to fit anklets . That was an experience I'll tell you. The power of this bird made my Redtailed Hawk feel like I've been handling a sparrow for years. Great informative video as usual Dave.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cheers!

[@LaurenMcGoughEagles]

Great video, Dave! I'm enjoying all your videos. We're trying to spread awareness of the huge commitment that golden eagles take in the US, and this is great to see from the UK side! Thanks for putting it together.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cheers and good luck!

[@withvinayak]

The first few seconds melted my heart! Such majestic bird ❤

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

He’s lovely

[@ComicusFreemanius]

I will never forget the call.

[@shannonspage9360]

I live in New York state their falconry license allows for all eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls...except for bald eagles and golden eagles.

[@freebirdofreason1994]

Cheers for a good food for thought video, always top guidance for us who want to be a better before mistakes are made.

[@Kestrel2357]

Instinctive vs thinking mind, that work similiary for my parrot, i like the way you phrased it.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Yes deffo same thing , even with something as low intelligence as snakes tbh

[@darrenstoodley5980]

Hi Dave another top class video never worry about the length of your videos especially when it's about topucs like this 1

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thankyou

[@jamesbonelli9680]

Hi Dave, Ilive in the states and have many years as a faconer[ 50] and ive never had the desire to fly one because the work it take to train one and the number of game you will get foe me isnt worth it. I can go out with my falcon and have aworry free day and ger all the game I want ane have a gteat time. Thank you foe the video, i only hope more falconers watch it.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cheers James

[@williecorcoran2676]

Hi Dave loving the clips and we will all watch out for your new channel and keep following you 👍 maybe a silly question but did you ever come across a white faced scops owls eyes changing to a brighter orange??? Thanks Willie

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

I’m a bit colourblind so prob wouldn’t have noticed ! But not surprised if yours has wirh age

[@recycledracehorsefalconryteam]

Excellent video and advice Dave

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Means a lot from Yourself

[@MichaelDavis-pq6ei]

As always Dave thanks for the insight. I won't bother with a Golden Eagle you talked me out of it. For a pestie like me Harris all the way. Thanks again Dave for info.

[@NatNay-cu3uv]

I'm getting one !

[@williecorcoran2676]

Hi Dave I remember watching one of your videos about your wellingtons falling apart 😩 I got a pair of Treksta for an Xmas gift and I have to say they are good 👍

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Hehe! Only talking about those last week.! Loved them but at £350 they need to last more than a year eh! Got some cheap aigles at no that are on second season so won’t buy the nice chamoix ones shin!

[@williecorcoran2676]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy oh we’re yours Treksta too?? Mine were €140 seem to be going ok so far but it’s early days yet😂😂😂

[@johnwilkes7190]

Some very good points don't worry about the video length, an important topic. Perhaps a follow up with film covering , OK if you have the quarry have the permission have the background knowledge , experience etc you decide to go with an Eagle . Perhaps dealing with lure aggression , trade off /pick up with Eagles , food territorial issues, awareness of slow maturation and how that impacts on training and the need to revisit some issues as the bird matures . Actual flying (I know you have covered this a bit in Eagle vids ) flying off the fist(soaring flights as in USA not really practical in most UK situations) and use of hoods to mitigate undesirable behaviour (bating at a Hare 4 fields away etc.) risk awareness (terriers and dachshunds are not food!) Any how just some thoughts.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cheers John, I’ll need to get some footage in the season I think…

[@johnwilkes7190]

true but an introductory talk through would I am sure be of value and hopefully mae people re asses them as a Falconry bird option but of course I am but a simple rehbber these days@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy

[@johnwilkes7190]

bloody predictive text thingy .... hopefully make ... etc

[@alfiewhippet.]

That was a great Video. In the mid 2000's I hunted with a Male GoldiexSteppe, after 4 seasons I just couldn't do another. Each season I was travelling 13-18,000 miles in my car, I already had back and shoulder issues before i agreed to take him on (he was 2 years old), he had many behavioural issues, many of which were solved simply by bowl feeding, and just not interacting with him in a way he was used to. He was freelofted by his previous owner, and used to do daft things like charging the door, as you were entering. He definitely thought he was the boss at the start of our relationship, but we managed to work through much of his daftness, and formed a decent relationship. However, I never had an interest in flying an eagle, for falconry, I prefer small zippy things, but I enjoyed making him into somthing resembling a nice hawk to work with, just somthing I wouldnt want to repeat.😂😂

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

I get what you mean , I fancy some Thing zippy for a bit and also if Zeus popped off in wouldn’t have the heart to do another one !

[@alfiewhippet.]

They definitely take total commitment for over 6 months of the year. I felt like I was popping home, rather than popping out hawking😂😂 but I have some fantastic memories of that time.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

@alfiewhippet. Yes my first three years with Zeus was like that

[@johnabbott4424]

Wise words as usual

[@leslielamcke7020]

As an American falconer, it’s insane that you can go out and buy a golden eagle for $2k. That is not in the realm of possibility for us.

[@leslielamcke7020]

Also, who hits their eagles! Try that with a wild trapped bird and you will have some serious holes in your hand.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

You guys have it too difficult and here it’s too easy ….

[@facundobinelli6077]

This is gonna be nice

[@facundobinelli6077]

Hey Dave, i wanted to know your insight on black Chested buzzard eagles. Since they are native to my area i see them often in the Wild But i would love to know about their use in falconry. thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Very good birds, very little tested in the U.K. but ours regularly takes gyr and feather from be soar in displays.! Can be hunted off the fist but really a superb bird for flying from the soar in hill country . There’s a pic somewhere of falconers taking jackal with them too!

[@JonathanClark-o5h]

WARNING: do NOT pet your falconry eagles if you decide to get on, not unless you know that your specific bird is okay with it.

[@lohikarhu734]

only 100? I'm in hospital, low battery, so will follow the fun tomorrow! have.a great day/evening, all...

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Hope it’s not serious

[@jujucattys156]

What wood u say be best way to make in in a first year eagle on kill

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Get straight in whilst it's still battling with its prey or just finished , use your glove as a shield , approach front on . Help the bird feed . Do this with carcass lures first but it will b emote fired up on its first kill than the dragged dead ones, make sure the dead ones out up a fight first by pulling on line etc

[@jujucattys156]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy ye just comen sense then raily hoping tomorrow be first time on full carcass was planing ones hit it twitching bouncing hell out off it to try get him focuse his aggression frustration on that rather than me making in on him

[@LJ-yq9cx]

Is there a way to contact you for q?

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Here or email via contacts on www.raptorxotics.co.uk

[@chiffchaff3355]

Don't see the point hunting an eagle. You'll see far more sport & style with a shortwing. Flying eagles off the fist > it's hardly exhilarating, & the quality of sport matches the head count at the end of the season. If I wanted to just 'catch' hares I'd fly a Gos, but then with a good Goshawk it's like shelling peas. The best hare hawk I've seen was a 2lb German Gos. I've also noticed with 'Eaglers' their ego matches the avian Lancaster Bombers they handle. & often when I've been to see some now big names who had/have imprinted goldies, they fly them for the first season, lucky to get over 5 head of quarry, then it's left in an aviary with all the excuses under the sun why they no longer fly it. & as for catching deer, just dragging a deer down isn't my cup of tea, & the venison on eagle caught deer/highly stressed deer > you notice the difference. Hosted eagle meets a good few years back... So why hunt with eagle's? Hardly the most practical hunting hawk out there... Take a lot of effort for minimum satisfaction as a hunting hawk.

[@chiffchaff3355]

Just to add, I hunted my golden eagle from 2006 to 2017, I lost my eagle in the 2017 season whilst hunting. Came down on a roe deer grollach that had been laced with a strong insecticide mainly used for killing wasps after testing. Took on a crop quickly. I hunted my eagle seriously, even lamping to keep an imprint focused especially when daylight hours were short & mixed in with bad weather. Having a eagle just on a dragged lure between trips out doesn't stop aggression, so kill kill kill... So why I lamped my eagle on average 3 nights a week mixed in with day time hawking. I won't go into detail what quarry species I took. But I never lamped foxes > an eagle can't see where to place the feet around the muzzle. Had my eagle bitten in day times when as incidental kills from waiting on etc. I'd never have another eagle, the bond was like halfway between a dog, but it's a chapter I've closed > goshawks & tiercel peregrines only for me now..... Far more sport & entertainment in a more usable package

[@robertgriffin5538]

Ronnie Moore was the best eagle flyer in the uk .

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Pioneer!

[@chiffchaff3355]

Not sure about the best Robert.. He only flew his eagle when the winds were westerly, accounted for a few rabbits in each season. A forgotten eagler is Tony Scott from Northumberland, I remembering the 90s he even flew his eagle in the Matterhorn in the high Alps & he hunted his eagle seriously. He was the last person allowed to take a wild eagle under licence in Scotland for falconry.

[@raphlvlogs271]

eagles as well as their relatives are both predators and scavengers as soon as they come across carrion

[@woodlandsedge3456]

Thing is you need the ground to fly them

[@nineaether888]

Confirmation from your eagle to me with his talking🦅🪶💚💜 thank you.. lacking goverment again