FALCONRY: Tethering or Freeloft, which is best for your birds? 

Like many Falconers/Austringers I free-loft during the moult and tethered for the flying season. At the end of the day, as you say, you do what is best for the bird. Personally I am just grateful that in the UK we have the Hawk Board lobbying MPs and law makers on behalf of all keepers of Birds of Prey. Without them we would have been shafted years ago.

Thanks for a really honest look at a sensitive subject. For me accipiters are the difficult ones to freeloft. Some take to it and some do better tethered. Which is why a law or rule is a bad idea. It should be whatever is best for that individual bird.

I’ve been flying birds for over 45 years Dave and everything you say is true, during my time as a pro falconer on the front line of PR with the general public I’ve been so frustrated at times with their assumptions and lack of understanding but I’ve bit my tongue and done my best to educate them and once they’ve been out flying with the birds they’re almost in tears because of the emotions that are aroused within them after spending time flying them them to their glove and then they can see how well they’re cared for and loved.

Even when free-lofted during moulting season, the falconer must enter and socialize daily with the bird- what you mention at the end is fundamental and completely agree! Great video

All birds that I fly are being kept tethered until I stop flying they enter free lofts or aviaries. I find it keeps them behaved better. I agree with the Owls being free lofted is a better way though.

Valid points , on both sides , it comes down to common sense and knowledge on your subject matter ! , a falconer knows when his / her birds are healthy and happy , but know your craft ! , and you my friend certainly do ! , can’t fault your viewpoint, we could all learn a lot from you , been keeping bop for 45 yrs , and still learning , we are all still learning , brilliant videos my friend , keep it up !😊

Great video! Thanks for the breakdown.

I appreciate the tips about perches near the window before building a mews this spring!

Hi Dave another top class video with some spot on views it's a shame that the minority nowadays seem to have the loudest voice in regards to free lofting or teetering do what's best for your birds

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us, It's very much appreciated

This video was amazing thank you

Nice one dave. My Harris hawks get used for pest control flying some times 6 days a week. Can't see that free loft will give them enything extra. My male beats himself into the wall if he's not tethered. Tethering all the way gives you all the options for the good of the bird.

Brilliant info/video.

Great discussion of pros and cons! Our Harris (from this year) has been free-lofted since we could trust that she would come to our glove, but we handle her every day. To give our neighbours a break from her squawking, we tether her in a cool sunroom occasionally and she's content and safe there. We hunt (crows) several times a week and train often. On rest days I often walk her around the village for a change of scenery (tethered to my glove because she can only fly free where we have permission to hunt - we're in Germany). Crow season ends in 11 days but we plan to handle her during the moult also - at least weighing and probably going for walks. Looking forward to your video about hooding, which she hates! I probably waited too long to get started. Learning every day... 🙂

Excellent watch 👏

Here in NSW Australia, it is mandated to have shadecloth on the inside to protect feathers. Is this not more suitable? 30% would allow enough sun in would it not? I realize that your birds are on display so that is different to rehabbing raptors. Very good points though, thanks Dave.

Persionaly say it depends on the bird it’s self had birds that wood not style free had birds wood not settle tethered and cider versa

Given the DEFRA debate, this is a hot topic. It seemed to me that your list of 'Pros' for free lofting was more about the well being of the bird (ability to move to various perches in sun or rain, security from predators, they get a bit of exercise, etc), where tethering 'Pros' were a bit more about our convenience (e.g. keeping more birds in a smaller space, easier to man, easier to pick up, no need to calm a bird or design an aviary and perches properly). Also, in your experience, are free lofted birds less susceptible to bumblefoot than tethered birds? I can 100% see the benefit of tethering and creance lines in early training, but for falconers with only one or two birds, manning them every day shouldn't be beyond them, should it? If you don't have time to spend with your birds, if you don't have space to keep them, then maybe you shouldn't be keeping them in the first place? Really informative video. Cheers.

Your not wrong Dave I keep getting reported for my lurchers and even been reported to trading standards for having the bird out for a bath it’s a sad life some people live these days

To answer your question, I would say both. Free lofting, you have to make sure you have enough perches so the bird doesn't dull it's talons or break its feathers. When tethering birds, you have to make sure it never gets tangled up. (like you mentioned in your video) My question is, when the bird's molting, then what do you do? What is the best method, to ensure the bird's new feathers are protected? (Especially over active accipiters)🤔

Another very informative video. Soon you won't even be allowed to call your female BOP Delilah....

Move over David Brent, there's a new self-important bore in town. Skip the first 6 minutes of rant about conservationists and see if you can tolerate what info he has to share.😒