Thread: unusual project - falcon lure machine

A work mate asked if I could make him a drag lure machine to help train his falcons/hawks with. He's made keen on his birds of prey and its something that appealed to me too.

So I was stuck at home looking after the kids this weekend, so in-between the madness that comes with caring for little children and separating fights etc... I managed to do a few quick google searches where I got the basic idea from, then a few hours in the garage mostly while the kids where asleep ... a machine was born.


Basic idea with a few bodged tother parts to see if it will work - and yip... it did!


finished product, all nice and pretty!


The test subject herself (females are bigger and tougher in the bird world, they hunt harder so are preferred)

The basic idea is to tow a rabbit skin using the machine and a remote hand control to build up the birds hunting fitness. My machine uses a 12V motor from a repco boat trailer winch. The little motor runs off a spotlight batter and goes all day as it doesn't draw too much current and it revs hard out, so the lure can reach about 70kph!!! All up it was a great hit and bird and handler ('m sure there is a flash Ye Ol English term for a bird handler...but I'm too dumb to know, or want to know shit like that) are very happy.

Anyway, thought I'd share as its a bit different than the usual gun stuff

kj

Sorry about typo's...bloody iPads and auto correct!!! Note the bodged parts where replaced with turned steel I.e the broom handle in the 1st pic is now 3/4" steel turned on lathe, runs mint now!

Kj

interesting hobby!

Thats a harrier?

Usually just get the kids to tow the lure

Is your mate just re habilitating injured birds or is he involved with a bonafide Raptor centre. Curious because I would simply love to get back into my Falconry if I could.

Originally Posted by Pengy

Is your mate just re habilitating injured birds or is he involved with a bonafide Raptor centre. Curious because I would simply love to get back into my Falconry if I could.

Wingspan in rotorua is the only birds of prey center i know of if you havent been there its a must for birds of prey lovers. i think they have vollys all over the place helping with rehab and releasing. so you might be able to help them with out leaving home.

Excellent stuff. This is an interesting sport with a long history. I picked up a young fully fledged hawk in the Woodhill forest that was grounded and couldn't take flight from the scrub it was trapped in while out horse riding years ago. I took it (wrapped in my shirt) to a rehab place to be checked out and released. Man the talons on those things are sharp.

The native falcon is worth saving. Hawks are just pests, like cats.

Nice one Kimjohn, Falconry has always interested me, i was under the impression its illegal to keep a falcon/hawk in captivity......?

Hes all legit. Machine helps rehap

Originally Posted by Rushy

Excellent stuff. This is an interesting sport with a long history. I picked up a young fully fledged hawk in the Woodhill forest that was grounded and couldn't take flight from the scrub it was trapped in while out horse riding years ago. I took it (wrapped in my shirt) to a rehab place to be checked out and released. Man the talons on those things are sharp.

Having see an Eagle owl put it`s talons right through a blokes hand, I would have to agree Rushy.

Awesome project mate Im a huge fan of these birds theyre stunning to watch hunt the hills around work. Have you got anymore pictures of the birds?

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Good work KJ

Watching Birds of Prey hunt is an awesome sight.

Funnily enough someone who trains Falcons is called Falconer.

I wounder if you train Hawks, Owls or Eagles would you be be called a Hawker, Owler or Eagler?

Cheers
Pete

There were lots of Hawkers in Orchard Road in Singapore when I was there Pete.