Fairmont, WV

[Gregg]

The wife and I relocated to Fairmont four years ago, we are both licensed falconer and I have been doing some research on my next falconry dog. Owned two setters from llewellin stock (brother and sister gifts/rescues) that impressed me with their ability, desire and just how quickly they trained out. The Rymans I learned about through the writings of George Bird Evans and I picked up a copy of Mr Lesser’s book shortly after it came out (ashamed to say that I just started reading it) but, I think they might be a nice fit and the older I get, the more biddable I like my dogs……they spend a lot of time in the house and my last two were the perfect couch dogs.

[October Setters]

Hi Gregg. Nice to have some falconers here! What birds do you use? We’ve placed a few puppies with falconers and it seems to have worked out well, although I think here in the west the big-going trial dogs are the most popular for it. I imagine that, as it is carrying a gun, it would depend on how you like to approach the hunt. I am impressed with the training required for both the dogs and the birds- takes hunting to a different and very interesting level. If you do decide on a Ryman-type I’ll look forward to hearing how it works out.

Hope you enjoy the book:-)

Lisa 

[Gregg]

Hi Lisa and thank you.

Presently I still have my Red-tail that I brought with me from Texas and it might be squirrels and rabbits again this season…maybe. I just walked in from trapping with my apprentice and we saw several nice passage Red-tails but only had one Coopers hawk come in to the trap. She, my apprentice, is getting quite anxious so I told her she could fly my bird this season if we didn’t find something for her soon and, I would work on a Red-shoulder from the rehab I volunteer with. What I’m looking toward is next season. I would like to get a female Gos to fly over a setter….or maybe a Field Bred Cocker, or both. From what I understand, it’s a big dream and Grouse and Woodcock are not as easy to come by as they once were in this area. Even harder to catch with a good game-hawk, or impossible as some might say.
Most of the falconers that I’ve discussed this with were originally from this area but have moved out west and now hunt (a little falconry stereotype) the “Big White birds (Gyr) out of the Big White Trucks (name your preference) over Big White dogs (pointers)” <g>
But you can tell that this is a dream they would have liked to realize.
Maybe I will find it as difficult as they did, but hey, can you think of a better struggle and with better company!

<smile>
Gregg

[October Setters]

I have a feeling the local grouse and woodcock population is not in grave danger even if you do get a Gos 🙂 Big deal to EVER get one of them.

Yes, Gyrs or Gyr crosses seem to be popular out here, along with pointers or all-age setters wearing gps collars. Used to be radio collars. And everyone drives a truck of course.

Lisa

[Gregg]

“I have a feeling the local grouse and woodcock population is not in grave danger even if you do get a Gos”
No doubt Lisa. And by the looks of all the deer, turkey, coyotes and the occasional fox that I have been seeing in our pastures….the Grouse have bigger issues to deal with….we are attempting to manage for them along with a few neighbors. One prominent DNR official is not a real fan of falconry and the only reason he could give was the pressure on the grouse population it might have. But I won’t mention his name….he is, was, a setter breeder, avid bird hunter and writes for some of the pointing dog journals. (guess that narrows it down :smiley: ) I do want to trap this rouge Gos that is decimating the grouse population. She would be the “bird of a lifetime”

Regards,
Gregg

[Eric_Rinehart]

Welcome to WV Gregg!!   I too was a Llewellin owner and after reading the books of GBE and others (received Mr. Lesser’s last Christmas), purchased my first Ryman-type setter about 13 yrs ago.  
I pass through Fairmont pretty regularly as my daughter is a freshman at WVU, so maybe we can meet for dinner sometime or something.  Be headed that way Wednesday for a basketball game.
Eric

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