Question for Goshawkers

[BigMusket]

Hi all, I gather that all goshawking is done from the fist. Therefore how do you exercise your birds if quarry is not forthcoming? Ie do you go out and never let the bird go unless at something?
I know nothing about goshawking so would be interested to know what you do.

[Keith Barker]

hello luke,
i only fly from the fist, it is very rare to go out and not get a slip with the goshawk as i fly crows and we have plenty to go at. if i did not get a slip on an outing it would not matter much as i fly almost every day of the week, if i did not have enough quarry to go at to find a slip on every outing without fail i would not be flying a goshawk.
keith

[AlexB]

On the odd occasion that I have not been able to get a slip I have a location with some nice high trees that i use for training purposes only. i normally go there to give the bird some exercise and finish the day off with a bit of training for the food for the day. I also try and do some following on with my birds, helps to get them fitter quicker.

Alex

[Redeye]

The simple answer is if you cant guarantee slips dont fly a goshawk.

Many goshawkers will put down game myself included to guarantee good sport.
A goshawk not getting flights will soon be a pretty useless fist adornment at best and dangerous at worst.

[GoodFooter]

If I'm out with the hawk and find no quarry I do several things.....if there is a hill/valley I put the hawk on a fence post at the bottom of the hill and recall up the hill several times. If its flat I do several recalls from trees or take the hawk home and do some rope training. I do let my gos follow on but only if I know there is no quarry about.......which ever way I look at it, he gets a flap about which in my mind retains fitness if not improving it.

[ChrisGos]

I can put my girl up in the trees and she will follow on. Lots of high jumps are also useful. However there is no substute to slipping at quarry. By using ferrets I almost certainly get slips for her on each and every outing. I think the secret is to get them fit in the first place and maintain that fitness. Up hill slips are also good for fitness and rabbits almost always bolt up hill if you are ferreting on valleys, slopes, hills etc.

[BigMusket]

Cheers for your replies. I had no idea people followed on goshawks! How thick do I sound.
Your right about the quarry aspect though. I'm currently negotiating putting down game later this year. Always competing with shoots though