Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Hi Peter,

I read an article the other day about Hungarian Vizsla's being used in 
conjunction with Falcons to hunt. There were no specifics, it just said
that the ancient Magyar's used to do this.

Any ideas how ?



Gary.

    Gary,
    
    The Vizsla's are used in an entirely different way than the, still
    existing!, Agar Magyar's.
    The Vizsla is used to poit and jump the pheasants.
    The Agar Magyar is a longdog and is or was used to hunt the hare and
    deer. The Hawk, Falcon or Eagle had the purpose of slowing the quarry
    down. This is also called coursing.
    This method is still occasionally practiced in Arabia with Salukis.
    
    Peter

I know this topic has been dormant for a year but I've only just found the
conference.

Peter, your interest in falconry might lead you to a course or too and I thought
you might consider the British School of Falconry in England. It's based in a
town called Stelling Minnis (sp?) Near Canterbury (just up from Dover). Should
only be a short hop for you. They give week-long lessons 

	Beginners with Common Buzzard
	Advanced with Harris Hawks

They also educate you on the laws of acquisition, at least for England and
could probably obtain or tell you how to obtain a bird in Holland. I've taken
the beginners coruse and it was well worth it. I've study falconry for years 
but there's nothing like first hand knowledge and the sensation of that hawk
coming in straight at you to land on your hand.

You should check with your countries laws on obtaining and keeping hawks.
For example here ini Massachusetts (and maybe throughout the US) you must 
capture the bird and not buy or sell; in Britain its the reverse ALL birds are
to be captive Bred with identifications bands to indicate that they are; and
selling and trading is a complete paperwork shuffle.

I should think that capturing would be standard in Holland as one small town
in Holland used to be the major supply point for most of Europe during the 18th
and 19th century - reason being that major migration paths traverse the country.

Do I have a bird today - No!

Will I have one - Yes!

Here in the US you have to be assigned to a Master falconer as well as have all
the basic equipment and pass a test prior to the granting of a license. There 
are about 1500 falconers in the whole of the US (28 in Massachusetts) so new 
falconers are few and Master falconers want to fly their birds not babysit
beginners.


One thing you might answer for me. What kind of publications are there in 
Holland on falconry - my bookshelf can never have enough books on the topic?

ciao

DavidF
 

    David,
    
    Another dormatory period later: 
    In the Netherlands falconry or even the keeping of the simplest raptor
    is a pain. Laws, regulations, permits, grants, fees, the lot.
    
    Becoming an officially recognised falconer is awfully difficult and
    people are very much discouraged to practice it as public opinon
    regards it as a crual bloodsport.
    The permits/licenses needed:
    - permission to import the bird
    - permission to keep the bird
    - falconers license
    - hunting license
    - hunting lease
    Restriction: only the Perigrin or Goshawk can be used.
    The procedure is also severely hindered by the mentallity of Master
    Falconers who consider themselves above mortal men without a bird of
    prey. They try to keep it as elite as possible.
    
    Keeping a raptor in captivity is effectively made impossible by
    conservation laws which are way over the top. In fact so far so that
    they seriously impeed the re-introduction of the barn owl.
    
    I have come to know several falconers in the UK personally and have
    become familiar with many birds and their hunting.
    The personal acquaintance makes several captive bred species availeble
    to me and currently I am working to get permission to import and keep a
    bird under the CITES terms. 
    Since the actual killing of live prey is the part that I am least
    interested in I am now under way nicely.
    If everything works out I'll have a pair of interesting birds with
    permission to keep, train and excersise them on lures. 
    
    This summer I will go spend a week with a falconer to learn the finer
    tricks and start training my newly acquired birds. 
    And if I should ever feel like it I can go hunting with hawks,owls, falcons
    and eagles on grouse, pheasant, rook, rabbit, hare etc.
         
    All the above has taken me since '88 when I started seriously. Let's
    hope it works out!
    
    Peter