Rabbit Hunting With a Red-Tailed Hawk (And Scarlett's Release Back to The Wild!)

Today we release Scarlett back to the wild! If you missed the previous videos with her, she was deteriorating quickly due to a heavy load of internal parasites. There were large worms in her castings, and she had labored breathing. After a $925 vet bill, she was back in business! The vet confirmed she would have been dead by January due to her condition if we did not trap her! After several weeks of training and hunting, it was determined that she was not suitable for falconry due to her not willing to hunt with others and sometimes even myself. I don't blame her - we ask a lot from the birds to hunt and follow us, and not all are cut out for it. We raised her weight back up, she's worm-free, and gave her a good dinner before we set her free!
We then join Paul with his 1st year Red-Tailed Hawk, Ursula for a rabbit hunt. We tried fist-hawking her on rabbits, which is very difficult for Red-Tailed Hawks, but not impossible! If you have a tail wind and have the hawk in the right position to give it the best chance at success - it's possible! Enjoy!
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*I am a licensed falconer through the State of Ohio. It is a state and federal offense to tamper with or possess a bird of prey without proper licensing and/or permission from state or federal authorities. It is also illegal to injure or kill any bird of prey in the USA. If you believe you see an injured bird of prey, contact your state's falconry club or state game warden.

[@ScottH22175]

God's speed, Scarlett!

[@Thewelshhawker]

Nice one 👍👍

[@FinsandTalons]

Thanks!

[@jeffreyporter4678]

Good times! I wish our cover in Massachusetts was as light as what you have out there, a couple of hours hunting here is exhausting! Looking forward to some training video of the new bird!

[@FinsandTalons]

Most of our spots aren't this open. This is not our usual hunting grounds. Yes I think I'm going to do some shorts of Xena's training during the week while the main Sunday videos are hunting.

[@jeffreyporter4678]

​@FinsandTalons I was out hunting this past Saturday with two friends, and the brush was so thick that at one point I was so wrapped up in Bittersweet, and Briars, I couldn't move forward, or backwards!

[@FinsandTalons]

I have a couple spots like that, and you pretty much have to have a dog to get the rabbits out. And forget about getting anything on video. 😂

[@austinh.5869]

Just found the channel and I live on the east side of Columbus. Nice to see a local channel. That being said, I enjoy fishing and considering falconry, so all the information you provide is helpful. Any tips to getting started or how much it cost you to get started in falconry?

[@FinsandTalons]

Welcome aboard! I would recommend joining the Ohio Falconry Association ($20/yr) and attending our annual meet the first weekend of March in eastern Ohio. The biggest expense in falconry getting started is the mews / weathering area and the equipment.

[@FRamirez1A]

I can't wait to see videos of your new bird! I will be posting some too, but Im behind due to the holidays!

[@FinsandTalons]

@@FRamirez1A Yeah I'm itching to get her out, but she was sooo fat when I trapped her that it's taking a while to get her down to the right weight. And I don't want to drop her fast. How's your bird doing?

[@FRamirez1A]

@FinsandTalons he was doing great. Eating on the glove the day after I trapped him. Strongest RTH I have ever had, it literally poked through the glove and made me bleed a bit, but he is now free lofted for a few days since I'm away for Christmas.

[@FinsandTalons]

@FRamirez1A Good deal....good luck!

[@ronnysavage]

Should've done 1 last group hunt with Scarlett

[@FinsandTalons]

@@ronnysavage I would have liked to but she wouldn't hunt with anyone.

[@marcusm9367]

If the Hawk was not sick, and you decide that the bird is not a good fit for falconry, how long before you know this? What are the rules on releasing? Im from California .

[@FinsandTalons]

@@marcusm9367 There's a couple stages - The bird should be quite gentle after 4-5 days of working with it. If it is aggressive after those days, I would release it (there's plenty of Red Tails out there that are mellow and I wouldn't spend my time with one that's aggressive towards me). Then the next stage isn't until you start free-flying and hunting. So it could take 4-6 weeks to realize the bird may not be worth keeping.

[@FinsandTalons]

@@marcusm9367 Also, we can release the hawk here in Ohio at any time, as long as we return the leg band to the Division of Wildlife and document the release with them and the USFWS. Then get another Capture Permit and leg band for the next bird.

[@jasondeansmith79]

So is the falconer’s choice rather he lets his bird eat fresh kill or not? I seen they let Ursula but I didn’t think you liked to let them?

[@FinsandTalons]

@@jasondeansmith79 Yes it's up to the falconer. There's different methods, but I prefer to not feed on the kill. They seem to transfer easier to the lure if you don't let them break into the kill. It also helps if you plan on going for multiple kills.

[@FRamirez1A]

In the first few hunts I ALWAYS let my bird eat from the kill!