Do you love big bluegill?

My 'Pet 'Hawk

Red Shouldered Hawk,eating fish guts and heads I gave him.He expects this every year since about three years ago

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Comment by Bruce Condello on January 14, 2011 at 10:20pm: This is amazing discussion.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 14, 2011 at 9:09pm: Yes Jeff, the Crows drop feathers in the yard chasing the Hawk .'Pet Hawk' holds his own VERY WELL against usually three Crows that cant beat him off a kill of Jays or Juncos and have to wait their turns for fish I give him.

Comment by Jeff Soto on January 14, 2011 at 7:53pm: Well Sharon, we had a Great Horned Owl we got as a baby and kept him for several years. Samson was pretty much a pet like a cat or dog. You could actually hold him against your body like a pet chicken. Sometimes would fly off at night and grab something, usually a mouse or gopher, but once he had a big hairy tarantula spider! Owls are unique in that their feathers do not make any noise as they flap their wings; they are absolutely silent fliers.

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on January 14, 2011 at 5:37pm: I prefer owls myself. I once had my cats bring in a sawit owl (very small). It got away and was sitting on top the fridge next morning. I wanted to keep it, but didn't. Has anyone ever worked with an owl instead of a hawk?

Comment by Jeff Soto on January 14, 2011 at 4:50pm: Cool! RS Hawks are beautiful birds. I used to be a Falconer years ago. Had a Redtailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk and a little falcon, the American Kestrel. It took a lot of time to work with the birds, but hunting with a birds of prey is something I will never forget. Hey Steve, a hawk will keep his distance from crows if it can. Crows hate hawks, just like dogs hate cats and will chase, and harass them whenever they get the chance. A large hawk could easily kill one crow, but crows are never alone...

Comment by John Sheehan on January 10, 2011 at 1:40pm: never named him anything other than 'Pet Hawk'

Comment by John Sheehan on January 10, 2011 at 1:32pm: No the Red Shouldered friend hasn't ever dropped a feather for me . Bluejays/Juncos he kills and Crows feathers have all been gathered from the yard and incorporated into jigs that I use. I am the worlds sloppiest tier though.

Comment by Bruce Condello on January 10, 2011 at 1:22pm: ...and have you named him?

Comment by Bruce Condello on January 10, 2011 at 1:22pm: You use the feathers from the birds he kills? Wow. Show us one! Has the hawk ever left a feather for you to use?

Comment by John Sheehan on January 10, 2011 at 1:15pm: We are due for another storm tomorrow night . Crappies were hitting the other day 3-5pm and I was thrilled . Hangin in wood under the ice and hitting Marmouska jigs and spikes . My dinner tonight is Crappies and White Perch! The gills were released .