The Chase the on-line newsletter of the UK Falconry Club - August 2010
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Quality, hand braided falconry furniture made in Britain
Falcon fitted with Brithawk braided furniture
Brithawk Braided Falconry equipment order from Zoe Jones THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - JULY 2010
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CONTENTS
Editors note Welcome to the latest version of THE CHASE. I have been busy making plans for with my new Goshawk ‘Loki’. He is coming on well and I hope that I will be able to report next month his first kill. Meanwhile, whilst the lucky few are heading north to the Grouse Moors many others are preparing their new charges for the season ahead. The UK Falconry Club will be represented at the Blair Drummond Falconry & Hawking Festival and I hope to see some reader there. Meanwhile, the club goes on from strength to strength with the membership of the club and forum growing steadily. I hope all the members of the UK Falconry Club & Forum who are on the hill on the Glorious 12th the very best of luck. And congratulations to Jakk Tennant on winning his set of Brithawk Falconry Equipment in last months edition of THE CHASE. Good hawking for all Neil Davies - Editor
Features 4
A Brush with Nature - David Rampling
10 Bell Making by Larry Counce 14 Deaddog Vest Product Review 16 Competition Page - Win Memoirs of a Hunter 18 Club News
The Chase is the online newsletter of the UK Falconry Club. No article, photograph, or part of this publication maybe reproduced without written consent. The Editor and the UKFC Committee reserves the right to approve or refuse any advertisement or contribution for any reason. Cover photo - ‘Loki’ Goshawk © Neil Davies
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
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DAVID RAMPLING - WILDLIFE ARTIST
A brush wi
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THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
DAVID RAMPLING - WILDLIFE ARTIST
ith nature by David Rampling Born in 1963, I grew up in rural Suffolk and have been obsessed with wildlife and hunting since being a child. I reared jackdaws, crows and magpies, I kept rats, frogs and toads and caught grass snakes on the broads and lizards on the heath as a boy. I was bought 'As the falcon her bells' for my fourteenth birthday and became interested in falconry from the very first page. I flew my first kestrel at sixteen and have flown one bird or another ever since. Much of my youth was spent hunting Coypus with Terriers on the Suffolk broads, my mother cooked them for my family to eat, and I sold the skins. I was passionate about lamping with longdogs, and flying spars, which have always been my favourite bird. After studying at Agricultural college I went on to manage farms, first on the inner Hebrides and later the east coast of Scotland, but to be honest I spent more time hawking than farming, and with so much game around it seemed criminal not too! In 1991, I was offered the job of running a Deer and fly fishing trout farm in Scotland which surrounded a falconry centre, and it was at this centre i learned about running a team of birds and doing demonstrations for the public in what spare time I had. I eventually gave up managing the farm and went on to run the centre, which was where my heart realy lay. In 1993, I took a year out and left Scotland to run the farm on Lundy Island off the North Devon coast, Having read about 'Lundy' peregrines as a lad I wanted to see the legendary Island, with all its pirate and falconry history. And it was here, with no television, at the age of 29, that I first started to paint. My first painting took four weeks, but I was amazed that I could do it. I have painted pretty much non stop ever since.
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
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DAVID RAMPLING - WILDLIFE ARTIST
After leaving Lundy I ran a team of birds doing demonstrations at centres and fairs in North Devon, eventually taking over the North Devon bird of prey centre in 2001. It is a small centre, attached to a large adventure park. I have just fifteen birds, all of which fly free every day, and thats just the way I like it. I have a small gallery attached to the centre from which I sell my artwork, and it all sells...which is a good job, as a display falconers wages are pretty poor!
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I tend to paint and repaint my fifteen birds through the summer months for the visitors to my centre, and in the winter I hunt, (these days with my display Harris's, as I figure they work so hard for me in the summer its the least I can do for them.) and in the winter I also paint commissions, which is nice for a change.
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
DAVID RAMPLING - WILDLIFE ARTIST
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
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We will be at the Blair Drummond Falconry Fair on the UKFC Stand
BELL MAKING
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THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
BELL MAKING
Bell Making by Larry Counce When starting into falconry in 1988, I ordered my first pair of bells from the late Pete Asborno of Denver, Colorado. When the bells arrived, I studied them for hours and concluded that I could make them. I decided to get started the very next day. Early next morning I set out to the public library and began digging into TheThomas Register for suppliers of tools and materials. (This was before the days of having everything online!) I found suppliers and ordered the block, shears, and nickel-silver sheet metal needed for my first attempt at bell making. Within a few days, I produced an almost-perfect hemisphere. The next step was to figure out how to join two hemispheres with a clapper inside. Realizing the hemispheres didn’t fit flush, I found a metal file and smoothed them to fit. Something was still not quite right my new bell was not round. It took two years - after countless trials and errors - and, finally, Eureka! I produced a bell that would ring! Over the next two years, I broke three 3-ton arbor presses while trying to perfect my bell making process. Over the years I have acquired a wee bit more knowledge, resulting in faster research and development. Variables such as size and shape of the bell, type and thickness of the metal, temperature of the solder, use of annealing vs. non-annealing, and altering the dimensions of the clapper have an impact on the sound of the finished bell. Also, selecting the right alloy from the array of metals available can be a difficult task. I have produced bells made of nickel silver, sterling silver, brass, bronze, and beryllium copper.
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
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HEADING
In the past I would custom-make bells, usually out of bronze, to suit a particular falconer’s hearing. Nowadays falconers try the bells by ringing and ringing until they find a pair that fits their hearing. I am now able to change the pitch and volume by making adjustments to the equator band, thickness of the alloy, shape and weight of the clapper, and the placement of the sound slit and holes. For my hearing and for durability, sterling silver bells win by a mile. For the last 20 years, I have used a hydraulic press and a lathe to produce bells. The process I have developed consists of 26 steps from start to finish. It still requires more than 30 minutes to make one bell. My bells are used by thousands of falconers in 31 countries.
Cutting Bench
In addition to falconers, other people have approached me to supply bells for them. I once created camel bells for an Arabian camel owner. A Celtic storytelling troupe once asked for bells for a storytelling stick. Hobbyists wanting to find just the right bell for intricate crafting projects have contacted me to supply bells to fulfill their custom orders. My bells have also adorned dancers (both Native American and erotic), bird dogs, and cats. Recently I have had numerous requests for bells for women’s jewelry. And every holiday season I have many queries about sleigh bells and ornamental displays. My bell shop is located inside my traveling caravan in a space measuring 8’ x 10’, which includes a space for a small freezer stocked with hawk food. An air filtration system mounted inside the bell shop has proven to be a necessary innovation to assure that interior air quality is maintained.
Anealing Bench
All in all, bell making is a hobby for an ever-sosmall profit. Mostly it is therapeutic, and a glass of whisky or a pint on the workbench makes life good! Larry Counce is a master falconer, bell maker, and traveling medical technologist. His email address is larry@councebells.com, and his web page can be found at www.councebells.com . Finished bells
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THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
PRODUCT REVIEWS
As recomme Deaddog Hawking Vest Reviewed by Kevun Massey
For years when hawking I have always used a waistcoat for hawking, The type with the poachers pouch in the back and a multitude of pockets. Having seen so many hawking vests on the market and in the field none of them really appealed to me, being a larger bloke doesn’t help the matter either. When I looked at some being worn I didn’t fancy the idea of having
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a pocket sit almost under the armpit or have a vest that fitted best undone flapping about either as I have seen so many times in the field with others. One day I was advised about Keith’s “Dead Dogs” hawking vest, each one is hand made and can be adjusted to suite all. I spoke to Keith who I must say is a real nice chap, and he needed my waist and chest size along with the measurement from
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
PRODUCT REVIEWS
ended...
Coming up next month: Pineo Pendleton Glove by Neil Davies Dave Noble Falconry Bells
shoulder straps would un-clip, a brilliant idea if you want to take the vest off when you have your bird on the glove for instance. Next I adjusted the side straps so the pockets would sit exactly where I wanted them around my waist. Having the pockets where I wanted them all that I needed to do then was do up the front and pull the draw straps in so the vest fitted when done up properly and that was it. The vest has a large quarry compartment that sits on your back; this is vented allowing air to flow so that the heat from the dispatched quarry doesn’t cause them to sweat. On the front there are two main big pockets Attached to the front of these pockets is another pocket both pockets both of which (because I requested them) had removable washable liners for putting cut meat etc, these are held in place by a Velcro strip. Both pockets are closed with a flap that comes over with a fastener system that can be closed and secured with 1 hand these also have eyelets for Jesses to pull through. There are also clips on the front for putting swivels, leash etc.
my shoulder to my waist and also what colour I wanted. Keith also mentioned that he does accessories for the vest like the telemetry bag etc. A couple of days later my vest arrived, first thing that struck me was the quality of workmanship, it really was a quality bit of work. Trying it on it soon became apparent just how adjustable it is. I set the shoulder straps first, so the pockets sat where I wanted them. I could see that both
Now last season I really put the vest to the test, I found my self going through dense hedges, woods and all sorts of under growth. To begin with I was checking all the time to see if I had ripped the vest but it got to the end of the season unscathed. Overall impression, Not the cheapest Hawking vest on the market but with this quality and finish I personally believe its great value. The vest will fit every shape and size and adjust to just how you want it. Price: ÂŁ75.00 plus P&P www.fieldandfalcon.co.uk
THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010
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COMPETITION
WIN
a signed copy of Martin Hollinshead’s book ‘Memoirs of a Hunter’ The UK Falconry Club & Forum and Martin Hollinshead offers one forum/club member the opportunity of winning a signed book by simply answering the following question. When was Martin Hollinshead’s book ‘The Complete Rabbit & Hare Hawk first published’? Send your answers to neil_davies@ukfalconryforum.com The Winner* will be drawn from the entries received before the 25th August 2010 and will be notified by email and the results of the draw will feature in next month’s issue of THE CHASE. *T&C’s - The editor’s decision is final and the draw is only open to the UK Falconry Club and forum members. No other alternative prize will be offered to the winner. Only one entry per member. Competition closes midnight 25th August 2010.
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THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB -AUGUST 2010
NEW REPRINT First published 10 years ago and re-printed twice, this best-selling manual continues to be indispensable ‘A compelling and enduringly fascinating read … lives up to its boastful title.’ IBR ‘Everyone could benefit from this book.’ BFC Newsletter ‘This book should be compulsory reading for anyone flying or contemplating flying a Harris’ hawk’ International Falconer ‘Every stage of the bird’s training is carefully thought out.’ The Falconers Magazine ‘This is probably one of the most descriptive accounts of ferreting [to hawks] ever written.’ Hawk Chalk ‘All novice falconers should be made to read this chapter [Dealing With Kills] Countryman’s Weekly ‘This book is a must for all rabbit and hare hawking enthusiasts.’ Scottish Hawking Club
Available August Hard Covers 240 pages £25.00 + £3.00 p&p SIGNED COPIES STRAIGHT FROM THE AUTHOR
Telephone 01902 561075 or Email m.s.hollinshead@blueyonder.co.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Also available from The Fernhill Press
Martin Hollinshead, The Fernhill Press, PO Box 1682, Wolverhampton, WV1 4GQ Website: http://business.virgin.net/fernhill.press/index.htm
CLUB NEWS
Club News BBQ The UK Falconry Club will be holding a Summer BBQ in September 10th - 11th at Rhosllefain, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9ND. If any members wish to attend, please contact Ben Crane for further details ben_crane@ukfalconryforum.com We hope you can come along and meet the committee.
Blair Drummond Falconry Festival 2010 Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park , Blair Drummond by Stirling, FK9 4UR Tel: 01786 841 456 - www.blairdrummond.com
UK Falconry Club Committee President - Ben Crane, Vice-President - Neil Hunter, Chairman - Lee Featherstone, Vice-Chairman - Martin Whitley, Secretary - Steven Lambert, Treasurer - Tommy Miles, Membership Secretary - Jan Hart, Legal Officer - Mike Roberts, Events & Publicity - Charlie Heap, Newsletter Editor - Neil Davies, Field Meet Officer - Kevin Massey, Assistant Field Meet Officer - Joe Hatton,
Membership is now available online If you wish to join the UK Falconry Club you can now apply and pay online at the clubs forum www.ukfalconryforum.com Membership fees are per year and include Public Liability Insurance for Full & Associate Members: Full Members £32, Associate Members £32 and Supporter member £17
Winner of last month competition - Jakk Tennant
the uk falconry club supports the campaign for falconry
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THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - AUGUST 2010