October 1st- Trooper is finishing up with his molt. He has four tail feathers left which our about halfway in. Also, two secondaries that are a few days away from being hard-penned.
I am curious to what his flying weight will be this year. Last year was around 33.5. He is a shade darker after the molt this year. I will be bringing the weight down soon. Wolfgang will be assisting me with Troopers' conditioning this year.
October 18th- Trooper is close to being hard-penned. Plan on bringing weight down starting tomorrow. Should be around 33-34 ounces by the 24th. Wolf and I will start with exercising at that point. Hope to have in the field Tues. 26th.
October 24th- 37.5 ounces. Starting with some conditioning. Been very warm here. 75+ degrees. 40 at night. Flying tomorrow with beef-heart tidbits.
Nov. 1st- Troop' was at 33.6 this morning. Checked out old hunting ground near c-470. Absolutely bare. Let him soar for a while for conditioning. Nice day. Should be hunting at 33 in warmer weather. Slow response to tidbits. Did some jumping jacks after calling back for more conditioning.
Nov. 2nd-Went hawking with fellow falconer Kurt VonKloedt. A little late in the day. Trooper was at 33 ounces. Went out at about 9:00. Possibly too late at this area. Didn't kick up one bunny. Had to cut it at 11:30am. Try again at north area on the 7th.
Nov. 7th- Two slips for Trooper this morning. Pumped good for about 40 yards. Rabbit got to hole. Second slip same deal. Getting stronger. Short day.
Nov. 8th-Warm morning. 60 degrees by 8:30 a.m. Trooper was at 33 ounces. Kicked up one bunny. Troop' gave moderate chase. Didn't have real commitment. Possibly too low, not low enough, too warm?? I am assuming warm weather and sub-peak conditioning as main factors. Went home and continued with more jumping jacks. Fed 1.5 ounces beef-heart and vitamins. Keeping indoors tonight to maintain weight.
Nov. 9th-Unfortunately we had to go to old hunting grounds. Time restrictions. Got out at sunrise. Kicked up one bunny. Trooper still flying lazily. Not responding immediately to tidbits at 32 ounces. almost 60 degrees by 9:00. I'm sure weather is a big factor. If this warm next week I will drop him to 31. Still has a bit of fat on keel anyway. Once again, warm weather should have been factored into weight. I plan on serving baggy by next Tuesday if not succesful.
Nov. 14th-Another warm day. 60 degrees at 8:00 a.m. Provided a nice slip as soon as we entered the field. Downhill pursuit after a cotton-tail. Came very close. Flying with more intensity. Rabbit slipped in hole at the right instant. The problem is that there is not enough game. We've walked several acres of seemingly ideal territory. Not many rabbits. We'll have to find more and better hunting grounds. Troop' was at 32.5.
Nov. 16th-Searched northeast field in Broomfield. We must have walked 2 miles. Not a bunny in sight at 7 am. Unbelievable. Ideal terrain. So, I provided a baggy. Hunted around then pretended to kick it up out of a yucca. He, of course, tagged it right away. Getting tired of this but he should be more interested now. We have to find plentiful areas.
Nov. 25th.-Trooper had two good opportunities for a kill today. We came across some industrial sights to hunt at. Trooper was at 33.5. Definitely too fat. His first slip was pretty good but the rabbit headed upwind and barely escaped to the hole. I believe he would have had it if we were in better position. He gave a good effort for the second slip as well. The rabbit headed into the wind and back to dense bushes. Although I provided two more slips, Trooper had obviously lost his tenacity. This being a combination of hunting too high and unsuccesful attempts. In light of the new places we found for hunting, along with Trooper at his hunting weight, I believe this Sunday(the 28th) he will be succesful.
Nov. 28th-Yes!! We took Troop' out to our field of choice. After hunting around a bit we came across a cottontail hiding in a pipe. After capturing it we decided to hunt around, and if we couldn't kick up anything we would use this rabbit as a wild baggy. We had a few slips that weren't succsesful so we decided to use the baggy. Well, the rabbit got loose and was running wild in an open field. I released Trooper. He made chase and pursued the rabbit across the field. The bunny made it's way over a ridge and out of Troop's view. Wolfgang kicked up the rabbit and Trooper was determined to get this one. Bam! A short flight and a wingover. Trooper got his first of the year. Although it was a captured rabbit we considered the situation and the quality of the flight. I'm counting this as a moral victory for Troop.'
Dec. 2nd-We headed back to the spot which has really been providing decent slips for us. We took Wolf's bird into the field first. Although we got to see some good pursuits the new red-tail didn't quite connect. I'm sure he would have nailed one in particular if we had set up the flush correctly. After a few slips to no aveil we went back to get Trooper. We worked our way around a fenced structure and on a small ridge. The brush was tall and thick here. As I got to the top of the ridge Wolf spotted some movement-"rabbit!" I let Trooper go immediately. I wasn't sure if he saw it. He went straight towards it, which was about 15 feet in front of me, looked back over his shoulder, did a wingover and dove straight down into the brush. I ran up to the area and could see movement. He had it! We moved in to help and to clear the brush away. Trooper did a great job pinpointing and binding to the rabbit. A good day of hawking.
Dec. 4th-About 6 inches of snow left from the evening of the 2nd. We got to the field around 8:00 am. I wasn't expecting much activity from the rabbits in the area. And I was right. We walked the area for about an hour and didn't see much more than a few tracks leading to holes. I finally came across a rabbit hiding in one of the long plastic pipes. I let Trooper perch in a tree for awhile as I got the rabbit from its hiding place. The best we could do is give Troop' somewhat of a chase with a wild baggy. So that's what we did. I let the rabbit go and he grabbed it from the tree. Short chase that he needed to keep his confidence up. I try to provide a real setup as much as possible but knew this would be all we would see on this day. Still a productive morning.
Dec-6th- Monday morning around 7 am Wolf and I took both birds to our favorite field this season. We decided to take Trooper out first since his bird was first to hunt on the last outting. As we approached one of the dumpsters around the construction sight we noticed a couple of rabbits hiding beneath it. Our plan of attack was to flush one out the side as Troop' and I were waiting just around the corner. There was about 20 feet between this structure and some pallets of building materials. I figured it would be a short chase with about a 50/50 chance. Wolf proceeded to pry at the rabbit from the opposite end of the dumpster. Within a few seconds the bunny bolted from our end. Trooper made chase immediately. The rabbit headed straight for the pallets I mentioned. Just as the rabbit got to the opening betwewen the two pallets Trooper lunged both feet forward and nailed it! It was very tight quarters between the two pallets but he held on. I Got in as quick as I could and noticed his posture right away. He still had it. I pried the two out of the crevace making sure not to damage one of his wings. He sacrified his body on this one but wasn't going to let it get away. A great flight and kill for Trooper. We didn't have a good flush for Wolf's bird but did manage to provide a wild baggy. Another productive day.
Dec. 13th- Trooper is starting to exhibit confidence at this point. As we were walking through what has become our favorite hunting grounds this season Trooper slipped away from me and perched atop a three story apartment complex. This actually became a blessing in disguise. I started my way towards the complex to call him down. As I approached, a bunny ran from some two- by- fours near my feet. Wolf and I yelled "Ho!." Trooper tucked his wings in and dove straight down. The bunny realized it was being pursued and turned on the afterburners. So did Troop'. Trooper turned with the rabbit and nailed it from behind just before it made it to cover. A great flight! We agreed this was the best we had seen to date. I wasn't even expecting to see a bunny. Quite exhilerating.
Dec. 18th-The rabbits were out today and Trooper was determined to catch up with one. I was making my way across an open part of the construction area. There is some short grass here and a few trees. To our backs was a pile of lumber the rabbits use for cover. I had Wolf and another hawking partner about 30 yards ahead of me. Troop' and I held back and surveyed the area. I had a good feeling about our position. Things were quiet for a minute ot two. Then I saw a rabbit move just in front of Wolf. Trooper saw it too. There was a monent of silence as Trooper took flight. The bunny was over a ridge now without a clue Trooper was on the move. The rabbit was 30 yards straight ahead over the hill. I assume the bunny saw Trooper when he made over the ridge because it turned right and bolted right out into the open. Trooper turned with it and was pumping hard. I hadn't seen him fly with such spirit. I had a great view of the pursuit from my angle. The rabbit was still moving south right in front of me. Then Trooper really turned it on and dove into the thick brush the bunny went in to. I heard a cry and knew Troop' had the bunny in his grasp. As we all made in, Trooper was there, clinging to the rabbit. He seemed to be waiting for assistance. He was in a predicament with the rabbit in his talons and being stuck in the weeds. We caught our breath and assisted Troop' with his prize. This was the best flight so far considering the length of the chase and Troopers dedication. A great 50 yard chase with a superb view.
Dec. 20th-We had several great slips today but Trooper didn't quite connect. The rabbits are still abundent at our staple hunting ground. Trooper didn't slow down on any of the chases. Probably would have had two if I was was in better position. We can't get 'em all.
Dec. 22nd- A small system dumped 2 inches of snow on the hunting area. Even with the fresh snow I could provide 3 good slips today. The first was under a dumpster but Trooper was not in position. I had him perched atop the dumpster at the ready but just as I spooked the bunny he flew up to the apartment rooftop. Bad timing. After this we moved to the north field. I let Troop' perch in a tree for awhile as I tried to flush a rabbit. I did kick one up 30 yards or so NE of his position. He made chase as the bunny crossed his path and nearly got it. A quick stab as the rabbit disapperared into a brush pile but to no aveil. The next two flights were quite spectacular. The first being a short burst from the tree followed by a 15 foot dive stright into heavy cover. I had to come to Troopers rescue because he was caught deep in the base of a bush. The last flight was quite similar. He was determined to get one today and crashed into thick, branchy cover again. I also had to help him out on this one. An A for effort today although we came up just short. Trooper got some quail as a reward and we left for home.
Dec. 27th- I had Trooper perched in a tree as I poked aroun in the brush just below him. I did kick one bunny out. Trooper swooped down out of the tree and just as he lunged for it the darn thing popped into a short pipe. Well, the pipe was closed on one end and I could see the rear end of it as peered in there. Since it was all that we had seen I wanted Troop' to atleast get a kill out of it. So I release the rabbit into an open field as Trooper watched from the tree. The rabbit did put up a good run but Trooper hit it after about 20 yards. Not exactly a classic but productive for the day.
Dec. 29th- Had a bit of anxiety today. I put Trooper up in a tree overlooking our favorite hawking area. I did manage to kick up a couple of rabbits which ran into dense cover, just barely escaping Troopers talons. Trooper stooped two or three of these and settled back into the tree. I turned my back for maybe 20 seconds as I was kicking around. When I looked to the tree again Troop' was gone. Nowhere to be seen. I figured he had spotted something close by and possibly had it on the ground. I searched the area for almost two hours by walking and searching with binoculars. No luck. I had to get to work and wouldn't be done until 9 pm. I reluctantly left the field. I felt sure he had killed a rabbit somewhere close by. He never goes far. I brought a search light with me after work to take a look if he had perched in the large tree. At first I didn't see anything but with further searching I did finally see him there perched on a low branch. Just sitting there with a full crop and bunny hair on his talons! Sure enough I was right. I may have even walked right over him. Not a typical day of hawking but I ain't complaining. Good to have him back.
Dec. 30th-Jan. 8th.- Haven't posted in journal for awhile. To my recollection Troop' has had 2 bunnies the past week or so. Winds are picking up here in Colorado. We'll see what transpires...
Jan. 8th-After a great bounty of rabbits at our favorite spot, we decided to travel to a fire station, west on I-70. Brisk winds greeted us when we pulled up. I didn't think we would have any luck this day. After a few attemps without reward around the front, we checked under a shed in the back. There were two rabbits underneath. I put Troop' up 15 feet on one of the lightpoles. He knew what was up and waited like a sport. His vantage was 20 feet south of the shed just in front of a large bush which the rabbits were using for cover. The first bunny eluded us so we worked on the last. Sometimes you have to use your resources. Ours was a long pole just perfect for stirring up an unsuspecting rabbit under a shed. Sure enough, the rabbit bolted. I was on the north side of the shed to prevent the rabbit from heading the wrong way. The rabbit played along perfectly. It came out the back side and went around the west side into the open, right in front of Troop'. The rabbit knew the situation and ran south straight under Trooper towards the bush. Ho!! Trooper jumped off, tucked his wings in and smoked the rabbit. With a thud on impact, he bound and rolled over twice, bringing the rabbit with him. What a strike. Kamikaze style hawking on a windy day. Life is good.
Feb. 16th-I realize I haven't had an entry for over a month. Trooper has had many great flights. Some succesful and some not so succesful. Today was one for the books. He was up on a telephone pole for awhile. He seemed to be eyeing something, but I wasn't for sure. I started to call him to me. He jumped from his perch. I figured he was on his way but he glided in front of me across my path. I saw him continue to glide down with his wings tucked in as he went out of my sight over a small ridge. Suddenly I see a rabbit fly into the air, flip around once, and land on the ground. Troop' smacked it so hard it flew about 3 feet into the air.