"Traditional" Bird Hunt

NeverStopHuntin · Feb 17, 2013

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Utah Sky Trials this weekend. For those who don't know this is a gathering/competition for falconers from across the western states.

The falconers will release their bird and it quickly circles higher and higher to get a better "birdseye" view. Once the falcon is nothing more than a tiny spec in the blue sky, the judges will release homing pidgeons. The spectators watch in awe as the falcons plumit towards the ground at over 150 miles per hour.

Once things started to warm up, there were more than a few stuck cars

I had no idea that you could domesticate a mink and train it to hunt for you. These guys use their mink to hunt muskrat, ducks rats etc.

SMELLYBUCK · Feb 18, 2013

Very Cool

TOPGUN · Feb 18, 2013

Lots of neat birds on a gorgeous day. I love that big bald eagle. We have several of them right now up here on the river that is the only open water in the area. I also love to watch the Goldens soar when I'm out hunting in Wyoming.

JRABQ · Feb 18, 2013

Yea that looks different, thanks for posting. A couple of interesting looking chicks in the bunch.

elkassassin · Feb 18, 2013

Could somebody find out how long it's been since the Bird Crap has been washed out of the Hair on the Gal in Picture # 37?

We can Skin a Buck,We can run a Trout Line, and a Country Boy Can Survive!

ZIGGER · Feb 18, 2013

heck....I'd dive down for that chick with the BALD eagle........

Genghis Khan raped so many women that 1 in 200 people today carry his genes..

ZIGGER · Feb 18, 2013

.....I know how to get a bald beaver...but how do you get a bald eagle?????

Genghis Khan raped so many women that 1 in 200 people today carry his genes..

Castnshoot · Feb 19, 2013

Very cool sport. I love those birds.

I have a couple of wild owls that I kind of have trained to come down out some trees at my house to take what I throw out for them.

I have a lot of shots like these below.

I call this sequence "Nothing but feathers"

Silentstalker · Feb 20, 2013

Very cool Ryan. My friends used to hunt with red tail hawks. It was pretty cool! Thanks for sharing.

mntman · Feb 21, 2013

Very cool pics!
The wild/trained owls would be awesome too

A question about the "blinders" on the falcons, is that because of them getting nervous with the large amounts of people or is it because they are territorial with the other birds???
Thanks.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?