T perches for training

These T perches are a simple PVC construction. They are 2 inch Schedule 40 PVC slid on top of a U type of metal fence post. They are covered with non-slip perching material, anything weather proof and non slip can be used. Portable, weather proof. Inexpensive.

Tall 'Presley' perches for hawks

Some photos of the tall rotating 'Presley' type perches. The older, rust colored one is the template design for the others which are stainless. The inside of this one has a ball bearing (packed with axle grease) at the top of the post where the top of the perch meets the rod. Note the welded pipe washer that locks the separate 'ring' to the top of the post. These perches all spin. Although I told the welder to put a ball bearing at at the inside top of the stainless perches, I don't think he did. They do not spin as freely, but are sufficient. The rope length is this (a stiff rope 3/8", changed annually). I use a stiffer roper rather than the previous para-cord to keep the swivel from flipping through itself.  Bring the rope to the top and over the top of the ring, then have the knotted length touch the ground. That way if the rope gets over the top, the hawk is not dangling beside the perch. The swivel is a size 8 Coast lock Sampo. Again, changed annually. The distance of the bath pans from the perches is important. Have the well away from the perches, to keep the leashes from becoming wrapped around, yet the hawks can fly down and reach them easily. Also keeps mutes out of the bath pans as well. The plastic soda crates serve two purposes, one is to let the hawk have a safe alternative perch on the ground after a bate, also to place food upon. That way they can feed off the ground, away from insects, and when we travel, lawn chemicals in an unknown area. They are trained and encouraged to NOT feed on the ground, to prevent this. I've had birds become ill and lost a Barbary falcon due to lawn chemicals poisoning. The house where I was weathering the birds did not use lawn chemicals, but their neighbor did (using a commercial lawn care company).
So, the training to feed on a perch, or on the crate is essential.

Scales for Travelling

The three attached photos are of the three types of scales I use for the different birds.

The Detecto converted baby scale is only in lbs and oz. It is used for the eagle. It weighs up to 26 lbs and is in one ounce increments. The pan was removed and replaced with the small astroturf covered block of wood. The counter 'tare' screw on the lower left was replaced with a longer one.

The Ohaus is used for the majority of the birds. It weighs in grams, up to 5 lbs. Note the Ohaus the 4 tare bar, very important to make sure your raptor scale has that feature. I do not use a 'T' perch on the scales, because it makes them high centered and prone to tipping. I just pad the pan with astroturf. They are transported in the tool boxes that they are sitting on. For weighing scales are secured to the top of the boxes with bungee cords. A very secure system and travels very well.

The Pelouz electronic scale is used for the kestrels. Just a simple astroturf pad on that scale. The nice thing about this scale, is it can weight in either ounces or grams.

I strongly reccomend using grams for weighing your birds and keeping records. If medications are ever needed, they are always measured in metric so there is no risk of error on conversions from ounces to grams.

Soft, pliable lures for raptors

The reason I chose the 'Tuna Tail' fishing skirts was the durability and clean-ability of the material, plus it is visible under most lighting conditions. The white portion even glows in the dark. The late Jack Postlewaite did an experiment with lures. He found the most effective response was from the colors red and white. So, my lures are made from red/white tuna skirts and an inner-tube for size and weight. The softness of a lure for flying falcons I've found very important. Lure flying falcons get 'turned off' by hitting a hard lure. The Flexi lead take up make handling in the field almost effortless, not winding up the lure, just push a button. These lures are clipped to my hawking bag with the lure itself inside a pouch.

www.boonebait.com is a supplier of fishing lure skirts.