Joby
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by Joby on Mar 3, 2006 9:30:25 GMT -5
Hi Colohen,
Thanks for the good feedback. First, I think one of the major problems I'm having is that I just need to get more slips for her. We don't get more than one or two (at the most) per 2-3 hour outing, so she hasn't had many reps yet. As you suggested, I am thinking of keeping her through the molt and giving her a shot again next fall. Our squirrel season here starts around the end of August, I think, so I could start early. Regarding the trapping, in Ohio an apprentice can only trap with their sponsor, so if I do let her go this spring, I'll probably start the trapping sometime in October. What I'll need to concentrate on is finding more spots with higher game populations.
-Joe
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Joby
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by Joby on Mar 7, 2006 10:56:12 GMT -5
Hi Guys, Well, we finally did it!!! ;D So, I thought I'd just share with you Catch's and my first wild kill. I finally found a pretty good industrial park and was able to get 17 flushes (12 different rabbits) in 1.5 hours on Saturday. Most of the other places I've been we've been lucky to get 1-2 rabbits running in 2 hours of hunting. Catch was WAY too heavy to commit to anything on Saturday when we were first there, so we came back today. We weren't out 15 minutes when she made her first half-hearted attempt at a rabbit. But within another 10 minutes she nailed her first wild bunny!!! She had just been body slammed off her perch by the resident hag (who I subsequently chased off), when I noticed a rabbit sneaking into some brush along the roadway. I let Catch get a good perch and then I made a big half circle in order to flush the rabbit out into the open towards her. Seems the rabbit had different ideas and doubled back on me, crossing a patch of open ground behind me. But Catch saw it all and flew down after the rabbit, catching it after about a 30 yard tail chase. I heard my first wild bunny scream and hustled my rear over there to help out, but she had it by the head. I made in to dispatch it and she let me give it a stretch. Right as I dispatched it for her, the bunny's head popped off, landing about 3 feet away. Thinking that the it was well and dead, I let go of it and the headless rabbit took off running full speed out into the middle of the field. Catch gave me a dirty look and took off after it, doing a nice little wingover into the headless running bunny before it got got more than feet away. I cut it open for her and let her feed up, sitting next to her while I quietly took satisfaction in her enjoyment of her well earned meal. After she got a good crop off the rabbit, I traded her off to a rabbit leg, bagged the bunny body and head, and proceeded to call my sponsor with the good news. I've got till Friday for the Ohio season and will be hunting three of those days if her weight is down. Then I need to start scoping out the surrounding states. I think Tony mentioned that Kentucky went till 4/1and Indiana is through. When does the season end in MI, PA, and WVA? -Joe ![]() [/img] |
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Post by ccrobbins on Mar 7, 2006 11:02:16 GMT -5
My god am I lucky to be in Texas! Seasons on squirrels and bunnies, what will they think of next?
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Post by frootdog on Mar 7, 2006 18:24:59 GMT -5
Some parts of TX do have seasons on squirrels.
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Post by ccrobbins on Mar 8, 2006 11:16:01 GMT -5
That just stinks!
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john
New Member
Posts: 58
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Post by john on Mar 8, 2006 11:55:26 GMT -5
Congrats. I'm in Kentucky and it does go till the end of March. I know a Tony but didn't know he posted on here?
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Joby
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by Joby on Mar 9, 2006 10:22:15 GMT -5
Hi John,
Actually Tony doesn't post on here that I know of. I had originally written that post for RR but forgot to edit it for this board. What part of Kentucky are you in? I've been out with Bob and Gene in northern Kentucky, although I didn't get a chance to come down yet this year. I'm thinking about coming down sometime after St. Pats day, as I have a friend in from out of town that wants to see her hunt.
-Joe
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john
New Member
Posts: 58
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Post by john on Mar 9, 2006 14:51:41 GMT -5
I'm like 4 minutes from Tony here in Louisville. I figured you were referring to RR info since I know he's on that list, and he and Bob went to Texas together last year. Are you in Ohio? Everyone around here is pretty much done hunting as far as I know. It is nice though that the season goes so late here. If I had a gos, I'd still be hunting, but with #2 kid due in May I've got no time to fly my peales. My schedule now screams for a weekend bird I can exercise at home, not a big falcon. Hoping to get one before this fall, if not I'll probably trap another female coops.
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Joby
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by Joby on Mar 9, 2006 17:01:06 GMT -5
John,
A Coops is what I eventually want to fly. I'm located up in Columbus, Ohio. You guys do have it nice down there with the later season. I know that Bob usually stops around now, due to the does being pregnant. I'm just trying to get Catcher another rabbit before putting her up for the season. I took tomorrow off and will be flying all day, it it takes that long to get her something.
-Joe
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Joby
New Member
Posts: 49
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Post by Joby on Mar 11, 2006 17:13:51 GMT -5
Well, Catch caught a second rabbit on the last day of the season. She caught the fourth rabbit flushed and did it in fine style, chasing it through the woods for about 30-40'. I guess I'll keep this one through next year after all!! ;D ;D ;D
-Joe
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Post by Weasel on Mar 13, 2006 23:35:59 GMT -5
Some parts of TX do have seasons on squirrels. Not for falconry thanks to Gary Brewer. |
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rampager98
New Member
WHAT'S NORMAL ANYWAY?
Posts: 28
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Post by rampager98 on Mar 14, 2006 0:42:40 GMT -5
It is possible to get a passage RT that screams infact this season I had TWO that until they hit the huntin spot would not shut up. But as soon as they hit the trees (not a peep). One bird was a second year intermewed transfer and the pervious falconer swore he had rarely ever heard him make a sound. The other bird I trapped last season in January and he squeeked and squawked from day one so I dont think when you trap them really make a difference some birds are just vocal. Oh and as far as the rabbits go just be glad you have them to chase where Im from they are nonexistant well atleast in the daytime. Maybe a GHO would be the trick for me who knows. Good luck and with patience it will all come together, but in the meantime just enjoy being outdoors with your bird.
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One game per day per bird flown . With exception to migratory birds , like duck . If your bird makes a kill on something like that , you cant retrieve it but you may allow your bird to crop up before leaving it . 
and I aim to please!~ 
wonderful birds tho