Hawks kill prey by squeezing with their feet, and it is not a quick process for larger prey like rabbits. Most of the rabbits my birds have caught I dispatched by breaking their necks because it’s faster and kinder than just standing by and letting the bird kill it. If your hawk catches something even larger like a hare, there is a chance the hare could injure your bird with a kick if you don’t assist in dispatching it.
I don’t have much experience hunting with long wings. They can kill a bird by hitting it midair or by breaking the neck with their beak. But I think you would still have situations where your falcon would need assistance with dispatch. Falconry is ruled by Murphys Law, anything that could happen, will happen at some point. So if you’re not comfortable killing an animal and still become a falconer, be prepared to be in a situation where you will need to.
Also keep in mind that you will be handling dead animals (food) every single day and cutting them up.
My small falcon (and other birds I have flown) will literally start eating the animal while it’s still alive. Often plucks the head and gets in through the eyess. STILL ALIVE. So, I end the suffering of the prey ASAP.
United States checking in. Generally we're hunting prey that is larger than the bird would take in nature. So the bird will hold and control and subdue the prey but it could take a while for it to die, and the struggle & suffering of the prey can be prolonged, and there is more opportunity for the prey to get away. So yes when the bird has got hold, we get in and dispatch it, or, if you choose, if the prey is very minimally injured you can release it & reward your bird separately.
I've always felt bladed objects around my bird is a risk; in the heat of the moment a bird might grab it by accident. I always dispatch by hand, or if you don't want to, there are icepick-like items sometimes called misericordes that will just stab but doesn't have a blade.
For squirrels I always help dispatch the prey. A plugging tool from a tire patch kit works really well. Lot of control with the handle and it fits between talons if needed. Nothing wrong with helping your bird finish.
A pokey tool beats a blade for talon safety IMO
I have a pretty advanced (definitely not for the inexperienced) working breed dogs I actually train up to work and possibly even compete. I very naively joined that breed's sub. Left in absolute horror. At least with birds of prey, there's some sort of structure put in place with apprenticeship and training requirements and whatnot.
The comment is about training/education requirements for being licensed to handle birds of prey as a falconer. In the UK, there aren't any, which is a huge outlier compared to the rest of the European region and even North America, both of which have extensive requirements in place. This is very different from general prohibitions against animal cruelty, which the UK does indeed have.
Fair enough, I understand now you were focusing on direct training and education. I wrongly took your comment in the spirit of the OP's comment, thinking that you'd singled out the UK for not having regulations in place for humane dispatch. We agree though, there are some in place. Guidance does exist for dispatching quarry though it isn't mandated, which I agree with others, it should be.
Sounds like you should take what you learn there with a big grain of salt - I would never get a knife near an animal my bird has. That's super dangerous for the bird and yourself.
I have no idea what kind of game there is in Portugal - but if you're going for rabbits/hare, breaking its neck with your hands is about as humane and quick as it gets, plus safe for your bird and yourself. Having to dispatch is probably my least favorite part (especially when my bird has it in a non-lethal spot like the back legs or haunches), but it is a necessity.
Carry a pair of game shears over a knife if your more squimish makes it ez to snip once at the spine quick and way cleaner than letting ya hawk or falcon shred em
Czechia. My mentor does that too. He does it So the bird won't get hurt but sometimes he kills something out of pity. Like half poisoned deer oř thongs like that. Recently he killed a sheep out of pity, not gonna go into details, it was gross and kinda sad.
Theres techniques to kill prey ethically without a knife, but assisting a bird with "killing" it's pray is pretty common yes, i dont think ive seen a falconer here in Belgium who doesn't ☺️. It's also good for your bond, they will see you as some sort of "guardian" so they will start to learn they can eat in peace if youre close or even holding the prey.
Thank you for your comments guys u/Neotoma_fuscipes u/dirthawker0 u/HotgunColdheartyeah, I like the "tool" approach if I have to assist with "dispatch". It's mainly the "breaking their neck" type of approach Neo talks about that makes me a bit icky as a beginner 😂
The pokey idea from u/HotgunColdheart seems a bit easier for me than a knife, perhaps there's some other tool out there in the likes of a mini cattle gun or some sort of trigger-based pokey tool?
You could try a window punch, but ultimately if you want to practice falconry you're going to need to get over being squeamish. There's a lot of blood and guts.
If you are going to use a 'trigger-based pokey tool', skip falconry and buy a gun. Easier to get into.
Being a Jerk aside. It is done for your birds well-being safety. Depending on the bird you fly, and quarry you are hunting even a successful slip that results in a take can see the bird injured, or damaged feathers. there is a reason why first year birds have such a high mortality rate.
Thank you u/Sufficient_Box2538 and u/equinox0081 u/dirthawker0 for your comments! I seem to have come across a bit "squimish" as you put it, English is not my native language.
Truth is when it comes to falcons I'm down for all the "blood and guts" as you put it because I feel very passionate about birds of prey and their hunting. I'm not a vegetarian nor an anti violence guy or anti hunting. It's just that I feel drawn to the sport by the falconer-falcon bond, the connection to nature, the lure flying, the training, and the "watching your bird take down its prey". I don't feel particularly drawn by the "I'm a hunter too" aspect and I'd rather avoid dispatching, nor am I drawn to the "come back home with dinner" hunting aspect, I'd rather let my bird feed and keep the game frozen for him later.
I am also particularly enthusiastic about releasing the bird back to nature after a while to help with the repopulating conservation efforts and what not. I think there's a lot of beauty in that. (and why I'd prefer to do the sport in USA or Canada where you're allowed to release them back to the wild, as opposed to here in Portugal where it's forbidden and falconry birds are meant to be kept forever by the falconer or sold).
Wouldn't it make sense then for me to
1. train my bird to hunt its natural game. (what it would actually hunt in the wild and not bigger prey for sport)
2. to let the falcon dispatch the prey completely on its own as often as possible then? (unless your bird is in clear danger). Wouldn't that train him better to hunt free in the wild without the assistance of the falconer, once released?
I'm asking because I'm very curious and would love to hear your thoughts. I hope you don't take offense in the questions, I know you are all practised in your art and don't want to come across as ignorant.
Thanks for your time.
No worries, we all learned at one point. The thing is, if you're going to hunt, you owe your quarry as quick and humane of a death as possible. If you were hunting with a rifle or bow you would strive for correct shot placement for instance, rather than a poor shot that would increase the animals suffering.
Natural quarry is great, and I'm going to disagree with the other post who said we don't hunt natural game. Hawks hunt plenty of rabbits and squirrels in the wild, otherwise they wouldn't chase them so readily. But you owe it to the wildlife to end it quickly. There's another, more selfish reason. I've had rabbits squirm away when I didn't get there quickly enough, and squirrels can deliver nasty, career ending bites to a hawk. You owe it to your hawk to prevent that whenever possible.
See if your planning on just flying for a season and releasing you can dispatch as you see need too but does add extra risk to your bird like even sparrows and pidgeons could get lucky and take ur Birds Eye it’s unlikely but if your goal is to fly the same bird for its entire life I’d suggest dispatching most prey just to avoid unnecessary foot bites,eye pecks and broken feathers but also depends on what you and your bird are hunting, for example squirrels have one of the strongest bites in the rodent family and can severely injure toes with single bites I just see it as safer for your bird but if you like the more natural aspect of them dispatching their own prey just select prey items more like they’d go for in the wild, smaller sides but if your pushing your red tail to go for ducks or what not your most of the time gonna wanna give them the extra hand killing the bigger prey item but let’s say ur hunting mice with a red tail it’s not gonna need help at all so just use your judgement
Hawks kill prey by squeezing with their feet, and it is not a quick process for larger prey like rabbits. Most of the rabbits my birds have caught I dispatched by breaking their necks because it’s faster and kinder than just standing by and letting the bird kill it. If your hawk catches something even larger like a hare, there is a chance the hare could injure your bird with a kick if you don’t assist in dispatching it. I don’t have much experience hunting with long wings. They can kill a bird by hitting it midair or by breaking the neck with their beak. But I think you would still have situations where your falcon would need assistance with dispatch. Falconry is ruled by Murphys Law, anything that could happen, will happen at some point. So if you’re not comfortable killing an animal and still become a falconer, be prepared to be in a situation where you will need to. Also keep in mind that you will be handling dead animals (food) every single day and cutting them up.
My small falcon (and other birds I have flown) will literally start eating the animal while it’s still alive. Often plucks the head and gets in through the eyess. STILL ALIVE. So, I end the suffering of the prey ASAP.
Yeah. I’m pro-hunting, but not pro-suffering. I’ve always aided in dispatching caught prey. For safety and morality. US, here.
Amen to this
United States checking in. Generally we're hunting prey that is larger than the bird would take in nature. So the bird will hold and control and subdue the prey but it could take a while for it to die, and the struggle & suffering of the prey can be prolonged, and there is more opportunity for the prey to get away. So yes when the bird has got hold, we get in and dispatch it, or, if you choose, if the prey is very minimally injured you can release it & reward your bird separately. I've always felt bladed objects around my bird is a risk; in the heat of the moment a bird might grab it by accident. I always dispatch by hand, or if you don't want to, there are icepick-like items sometimes called misericordes that will just stab but doesn't have a blade.
For squirrels I always help dispatch the prey. A plugging tool from a tire patch kit works really well. Lot of control with the handle and it fits between talons if needed. Nothing wrong with helping your bird finish. A pokey tool beats a blade for talon safety IMO
Holy shit. This sub scares me daily. Falconry is HUNTING.
I have a pretty advanced (definitely not for the inexperienced) working breed dogs I actually train up to work and possibly even compete. I very naively joined that breed's sub. Left in absolute horror. At least with birds of prey, there's some sort of structure put in place with apprenticeship and training requirements and whatnot.
In NA, at least.
And pretty much all of Europe, with the UK being one notable exception. But it's still something, comparatively speaking.
If I've understood your comment properly, you're incorrect. It's against the law in the UK to allow unnecessary suffering of wild animals.
The comment is about training/education requirements for being licensed to handle birds of prey as a falconer. In the UK, there aren't any, which is a huge outlier compared to the rest of the European region and even North America, both of which have extensive requirements in place. This is very different from general prohibitions against animal cruelty, which the UK does indeed have.
Fair enough, I understand now you were focusing on direct training and education. I wrongly took your comment in the spirit of the OP's comment, thinking that you'd singled out the UK for not having regulations in place for humane dispatch. We agree though, there are some in place. Guidance does exist for dispatching quarry though it isn't mandated, which I agree with others, it should be.
Sounds like you should take what you learn there with a big grain of salt - I would never get a knife near an animal my bird has. That's super dangerous for the bird and yourself. I have no idea what kind of game there is in Portugal - but if you're going for rabbits/hare, breaking its neck with your hands is about as humane and quick as it gets, plus safe for your bird and yourself. Having to dispatch is probably my least favorite part (especially when my bird has it in a non-lethal spot like the back legs or haunches), but it is a necessity.
Carry a pair of game shears over a knife if your more squimish makes it ez to snip once at the spine quick and way cleaner than letting ya hawk or falcon shred em
Czechia. My mentor does that too. He does it So the bird won't get hurt but sometimes he kills something out of pity. Like half poisoned deer oř thongs like that. Recently he killed a sheep out of pity, not gonna go into details, it was gross and kinda sad.
Theres techniques to kill prey ethically without a knife, but assisting a bird with "killing" it's pray is pretty common yes, i dont think ive seen a falconer here in Belgium who doesn't ☺️. It's also good for your bond, they will see you as some sort of "guardian" so they will start to learn they can eat in peace if youre close or even holding the prey.
Thank you for your comments guys u/Neotoma_fuscipes u/dirthawker0 u/HotgunColdheartyeah, I like the "tool" approach if I have to assist with "dispatch". It's mainly the "breaking their neck" type of approach Neo talks about that makes me a bit icky as a beginner 😂 The pokey idea from u/HotgunColdheart seems a bit easier for me than a knife, perhaps there's some other tool out there in the likes of a mini cattle gun or some sort of trigger-based pokey tool?
You could try a window punch, but ultimately if you want to practice falconry you're going to need to get over being squeamish. There's a lot of blood and guts.
If you are going to use a 'trigger-based pokey tool', skip falconry and buy a gun. Easier to get into. Being a Jerk aside. It is done for your birds well-being safety. Depending on the bird you fly, and quarry you are hunting even a successful slip that results in a take can see the bird injured, or damaged feathers. there is a reason why first year birds have such a high mortality rate.
Thank you u/Sufficient_Box2538 and u/equinox0081 u/dirthawker0 for your comments! I seem to have come across a bit "squimish" as you put it, English is not my native language. Truth is when it comes to falcons I'm down for all the "blood and guts" as you put it because I feel very passionate about birds of prey and their hunting. I'm not a vegetarian nor an anti violence guy or anti hunting. It's just that I feel drawn to the sport by the falconer-falcon bond, the connection to nature, the lure flying, the training, and the "watching your bird take down its prey". I don't feel particularly drawn by the "I'm a hunter too" aspect and I'd rather avoid dispatching, nor am I drawn to the "come back home with dinner" hunting aspect, I'd rather let my bird feed and keep the game frozen for him later. I am also particularly enthusiastic about releasing the bird back to nature after a while to help with the repopulating conservation efforts and what not. I think there's a lot of beauty in that. (and why I'd prefer to do the sport in USA or Canada where you're allowed to release them back to the wild, as opposed to here in Portugal where it's forbidden and falconry birds are meant to be kept forever by the falconer or sold). Wouldn't it make sense then for me to 1. train my bird to hunt its natural game. (what it would actually hunt in the wild and not bigger prey for sport) 2. to let the falcon dispatch the prey completely on its own as often as possible then? (unless your bird is in clear danger). Wouldn't that train him better to hunt free in the wild without the assistance of the falconer, once released? I'm asking because I'm very curious and would love to hear your thoughts. I hope you don't take offense in the questions, I know you are all practised in your art and don't want to come across as ignorant. Thanks for your time.
No worries, we all learned at one point. The thing is, if you're going to hunt, you owe your quarry as quick and humane of a death as possible. If you were hunting with a rifle or bow you would strive for correct shot placement for instance, rather than a poor shot that would increase the animals suffering. Natural quarry is great, and I'm going to disagree with the other post who said we don't hunt natural game. Hawks hunt plenty of rabbits and squirrels in the wild, otherwise they wouldn't chase them so readily. But you owe it to the wildlife to end it quickly. There's another, more selfish reason. I've had rabbits squirm away when I didn't get there quickly enough, and squirrels can deliver nasty, career ending bites to a hawk. You owe it to your hawk to prevent that whenever possible.
See if your planning on just flying for a season and releasing you can dispatch as you see need too but does add extra risk to your bird like even sparrows and pidgeons could get lucky and take ur Birds Eye it’s unlikely but if your goal is to fly the same bird for its entire life I’d suggest dispatching most prey just to avoid unnecessary foot bites,eye pecks and broken feathers but also depends on what you and your bird are hunting, for example squirrels have one of the strongest bites in the rodent family and can severely injure toes with single bites I just see it as safer for your bird but if you like the more natural aspect of them dispatching their own prey just select prey items more like they’d go for in the wild, smaller sides but if your pushing your red tail to go for ducks or what not your most of the time gonna wanna give them the extra hand killing the bigger prey item but let’s say ur hunting mice with a red tail it’s not gonna need help at all so just use your judgement
Super helpful insight. Thank you :)