Video length 3 minutes 54 seconds Video: Amazing partnership of human, hound and hawk. Join Jamaica Smith as she hunts for cottontail rabbits north of Kingman one February afternoon with her hunting dogs and her Harris' Hawk, Troon. Smith is a falconer and trains hawks to hunt with her to capture small game such as rabbits and jackrabbits. Some of the birds used in falconry are captive-bred but many, like Troon, are wild-caught. Once trained, the birds are free to fly away, but as can be seen here they usually choose to remain and work with their new human (and canine) partners. Falconers must have a special license and permit in order to keep their birds. Harris' hawks are native to southern Arizona but are not usually seen this far north. They are one of the few social hawks that prefer to hunt in groups, making them an idea candidate for falconry. The two hunting dogs shown in this video are Isra, a Wire-Haired Vizsla and Tyler, a Brittany Spaniel. For more information on falconry visit www.azfalconersassoc.org.
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Deb Wall
What beautiful teamwork between hawk/dogs/human! It is awesome to watch these birds an dogs do what they were born to do.
To Nature Lover--Hawks are wildlife too and hunt prey for survival. Nature can be harsh as well as beautiful & isn't always soft & cuddly. The prey taken by captive trained raptors doesn't make a dent in the rabbit population and is NOTHING compared to the numbr of precious cute bunnies that die under the wheels of cars & trucks on the roads, from humans on their way to the bowling alley or to the grocery store to buy meat for dinner.
Posted: Saturday, March 14, 2009
Article comment by:
Nature Lover
I find this to be quite appalling... leave the wildlife alone. To go out and kill those bunnies is horrible. What about the other wildlife who count on hunting in order to survive.. try taking up another sport like bowling, and save a life!
Posted: Friday, March 06, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
This was filmed north of Kingman not too far from Stockton Hill Road.
Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Horse person
Where was this video filmed? It looks like the area that I live in northeast off Stockton Hill Rd. I live about 10 miles N. and 2 miles E. The video was nice to see, the music was a bit much.
