Today I got a crash course in falconry from my son Landon. This morning, in order to help Landon pass an upcoming inspection for his falconry license, we had to build a roof over the Cooper's hawk perch.The last inspector, who worked for the local game commission, passed our set up of a tarp with bungees in A frame fashion over the perch. This inspector, from Jacksonville, a Federal man, had a differing opinion.
So we set about the process of scrounging up wood and nails and materials. In the meanwhile, Landon had his young Cooper on his tether in the yard on his portable perch made from a five gallon bucket with cement and two by fours.
In the open, Landon said he was an easy target for Red-Tail hawks who like to attack them. We kept hearing one in the area, so we kept a close eye. Finishing the roof over, Landon went to get the Cooper, but in his flapping about, came out of both his jesses, the leather on his legs that holds him to the tether.
Not realizing he was free, he stayed on Landon's gloved arm. The hard part came trying to get the jesses back on his legs. Landon, holding the hawk, tried to give me instructions. Each time I got near the feet, the Cooper squawking, would try to bite,claw or wing me.
After getting a nice claw to the finger, I told Landon we need to cover his head up. I went and got a towel, placed it over his head and thus continued to place the jesses on with Landon instructing me.
The rest of the day, the Cooper brooded at the rough treatment and would not eat. It is vital to maintain a certain weight with these delicate creatures.
Finally this evening, Landon got the Cooper to come to his arm, where cut up beef awaited him.
Thus we wait for the Federal man to return and hopefully pass inspection on our handiwork.
The Cooper is now free. Landon, frustrated with attempting to train the Cooper from a chick, let him go. We have not seen him since. We hope he learns to catch his own meals in the wild.
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