Justin
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Post by Justin on Apr 7, 2008 12:56:31 GMT -5
Eddie, it appears Jasper has a unique, and interesting set of anklets. Can you describe them for us, and what the benefits of them are? I like the separate hole for the bells, and cable ties. I had a heck of a time getting mine into the same holes as the jesses. Also, what is the third hole for on the top? Do these anklets cause any scalation, or leg problems? Could these be used with an accipiter or typically a more nervous bird who bates a lot?
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Post by clivew on Apr 8, 2008 16:10:33 GMT -5
Some of the guys over here use something similar called 'squirrel chaps'; they also have peices that go over the toes more so as to help prevent bites off the squirrels. I'd gues that the top hole is for telem. if it isn't tail mounted or back-packed.
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Justin
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Post by Justin on Apr 11, 2008 21:19:53 GMT -5
No, I don't think those are squirrel chaps that he has there. Some people believe that squirrel chaps aren't necessary, and cause problems with the birds agility.
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Post by clivew on Apr 12, 2008 2:31:17 GMT -5
We will have to wait and see what Eddie comes back with. I agree they could be used for a nervous bird to start with or even an eyass straight out of the pen as their legs will be 'softer', thus giving them a little more protection. I know of a couple of people over the years that fitted the normal 15mm anklets on fresh birds at 12 weeks old; then the birds bated and broke their legs!!!!
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Justin
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Post by Justin on Apr 12, 2008 10:25:06 GMT -5
Considering Eddies high haunting frequency of this forum, I'm suprised he hasn't chimed in yet. I don't have any experience with squirrel chaps, but I was under the impression that they cover the toes to prevent squirrel bites, not the tarsus.
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Post by Eddie on Apr 12, 2008 12:45:31 GMT -5
I only use these high cuffs in the winter on HH's to assist in keeping the legs warm. Hens can tolerate the cold much better than tiercels so any assistance they can get is beneficial to them during the cold winter months. I don't remember the exact measurment but they are roughly 2 to 2 1/4" tall. Bottom hole is obviousy for the jess straps, smaller middle hole is for a set of bells and the top hole is there to attatch telemetry. I rarely use zip-ties for falconry purposes but since these are so tall and away from the leg I used them to attatch the bells and the telemetry. However, now he and Sugar both have the TrackPacks for telemetry so next winter I won't have to use that for the leg mount unless I want an extra transmitter. Many falconers I know use 2 and even 3 transmitters, all at a different frequency in case the loose their bird. These excessive transmitters are usually on birds that are super expensive like a nearly white gyr which can easily cost $10,000 to $15,000 dollars. The whiter the gyr the higher the price! If there is going to be a "colder than usual" winter, I'll make the cuffs about 3/8" longer and line the inside with rabbit fur to help act as insulation. They are well oiled and stretched and does not cause any chaffing to the legs. Any time you have a super nervous bird that bates excessively, I recommend a wider jess. The thinner, "normal" size can put too much stress on the legs at that specific point and cause it to break whereas with the wide cuff it disipates the force of the bate over a greater area. As for squirrel chaps.....never used them. We really don't have squirrels here to hunt!
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Post by clivew on Apr 15, 2008 7:00:13 GMT -5
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Justin
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Post by Justin on Apr 17, 2008 12:35:15 GMT -5
I suppose the reason I didn't suspect that those were squirrel chaps was because they only protect the tarsi, and not the toes, or there is virtually no toe protection. Eddie, you also wrote that you don't use cable ties for falconry, or rarely do you. I used cable ties on my red tail this year, but have seen no reason not to aside from their appearance. What other reasons are there for prefering the traditional bewit, or some other method for attaching bells?
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Justin
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Posts: 203
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Post by Justin on Apr 17, 2008 12:37:10 GMT -5
Clive your link worked fine, but I am not a member of that forum, and it restricted me from seeing most of the conversation for that reason. What is your experience with squirrel chaps, and do they have the same geneology in European, and English falconry? Are squirrels a popular game in England?
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Post by Eddie on Apr 18, 2008 1:29:00 GMT -5
LOL, I'm just old school and prefer the traditional stuff. Except for the TrackPacks for the telemetry and telemetry itself, I've always used traditional equipment and even traditional methods of training. Most falconers with long-wings balloon or kite train them.....I stick with the traditional methods which work just fine. I mean, there's no reason, except for money, to change most falconry things. We don't have to train our birds to fly....they already do and know what to do. We don't have to train them to kill becasue they already kill. Now, I'm all for change if it is safe and if falconers choose to use a certain piece of equipment or training method but I usually stick with the old stuff since it has worked for our birds for literally thousands of years! I mean look at telemetry; before it came along hundreds or maybe even thousands of birds were lost yearly by falconers who couldn't find their birds and then telemetry came along and that drastically minimized the loss of our beloved birds.....great invention and that's why I use it, even on my RT's and Harris whereas most falconers don't use it on them.
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Post by clivew on Apr 18, 2008 10:26:25 GMT -5
Squirrels here are a nuisence and pest species virtually killing off our native Red squirrels. Some do regularly hunt squirrels but here it is almost frowned upon with a Harris as the Redtail is better adapted for taking them. Harris's seem to love chasing them but often end up being bitten and then out of action so we tend to try and steer clear. I have never used them and in nearly 6 years, my HH has only ever chased a few and never caught one, as they were too far away when he made his approach. Clive your link worked fine, but I am not a member of that forum, and it restricted me from seeing most of the conversation for that reason. What is your experience with squirrel chaps, and do they have the same geneology in European, and English falconry? Are squirrels a popular game in England?
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