Anyone have a design for a pickup truck perch?

[ritchiera]

Hey everyone,

My sponsor's a longwinger, and he uses a sort of double giant hood in his truck, made out of coroplast sheeting. I am picking up a Ford truck soon that has a fiberglass shell on the back and wondered what any of you have for a design for transporting your birds in the back of your truck. Most falconers that I associate with have longwings or goshawks and they have built a sort of "I" beam on a stand that runs out the back of the truck. They can pull on the beam and it extends out the back so they can have the perch with the bird out the back of the truck to unhood and put transmitters on/take off.

Can anyone post their truck-perch designs so we can look at what everyone does?

Thanks in advance. I have one month from today (Sept 2) before trapping begins here in Utah. I'm looking forward to another year of this fun sport.

Regards,

Bob Ritchie
Orem. UT

[colohen]

???I have heard reports of people arriving at past meets only to find there bird/s have died of unknown causes, in the back of there camper shell trucks ! So I hope this will be a help to any one traveling with this type vehicle !!
Any one transporting there birds in the back of a truck with a camper shell needs to check there exhaust system . If you have a exhaust which comes out the rear of the truck , dual or single , you may be putting your bird at risk from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning , particularly if you are taking any long trips such as the NAFA meet .
The engine exhaust is picked up by the aerodynamic DRAG at the back of your truck and circled around the truck tail-gate forcing exhaust fumes into the camper shell through the cracks along the bottom and sides of the gate .
Try driving down a dusty road, then open your tail-gate and see how much dust you have in side around the gate and sides .
This effect will not be noticed on short trips , as there is not enough CO build up to effect any thing. BUT a couple or more hours driving may be lethal , depending on the quality of your exhaust system , amount of CO entering the vehicle and how well ventilated the camper shell is .
This also applies to older model , rear hatch SUV's and similar vehicles . If you have been getting headaches on longer trips you may wont to check your rear hatch seals .
Also you might want to check your exhaust system for leaks before starting a long trip . A leaking exhaust under the vehicle may have the same effect !!

[frootdog]

Anyone traveling long distances should use a carbon monoxide detector regardless of type of vehicle. Birds had modified repiration systems that allows them to use less oxygen more effectively therefore causing airborne toxins to be nearly twice a toxic. I could go into a long detailed medical explanation of why, but that would bore most of you. I have traveled to numerous meets in campershelled trucks and have never had a problem. The detectors range from 20 - 50 dollars and are well worth the investment.

[jfneumann57]

I have a thermometer and co detector int the back of my truck

[ritchiera]

Yeah, This gas problem was originally discovered during 14th century falconry outings on English draft horses. The gas from the tailend for the large horses was knocking off the Gyr's. .....

But seriously... Carbon monoxide aside,, anyone else use a pickup to haul your bird? I guess all you Texan's drive volvo's...

[kenbro77]

No bird yet, but when I do I will have on a pvc perch in back seat in cab of truck. If need be I will also have a giant hood in bed of truck.

[wilded]

Mine rides in a giant hood in the seat.

[ccrobbins]

I put my giant hood in the bed. I just use anout 247,000 bunjies to hold it down.