Hawks are no joke - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Teresa Ford · 10-13-2011, 02:38 PM

OMG Kristen, the idea gives me chills !

I don't know anything about trained hawks or falcons. But I think to be on the safe side I would leave. I agree that a Yorkie is often the size of a rabbit or other furry prey. Please be safe.

Kristen said " When I take the boys out on the 30' leashes, the rotten hawks often will show up and start diving toward us."

Gatord · 10-13-2011, 03:23 PM

I have hawks here too. Every time a thread on hawks I post. It makes me so mad. I have 2-acres and Josie and Jack love to run. But I can't let them out anymore cause of the hawk here. You can hear him swaking every morning. I am so sick of him.
And yes bird feeders draw the hawks to the smaller birds. I had one till I read that. I love the other birds and listening to them but now I can't feed them cause all I am doing is bringing the hawk closer in.
I read somewhere what to put out to scare the hawks, but can't remember what it was. It wouldn't help me cause I have too much property.
Owls too, watch out for them.

Gatord · 10-13-2011, 03:29 PM

Last year one was hanging out in my yard. In a tree on my property right where Jack and Josie use to play. I know he was over their waiting on them.
I would shoot at him with a B B gun. He would not budge till I would get close to him. I would go to work fussing about it.
An attorney told me one day, just rememeber if the B B guns turns more powerful, destroy the evidence.
No I don't want him killed just away from us.

lovespandp · 10-14-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

No lie...and in my state?

That's scary!

chloe2007 · 10-14-2011, 09:04 PM

We have a lot of hawks here, but I am always right behind Chloe when she goes out, even though I have a fenced yard. One other thing, be sure to keep an eye out for owls at night, we have the largest owl that I have ever seen hanging around this year.

brendarash · 10-14-2011, 10:53 PM

A few years back my little 3 lb Sadie, was laying in front of the large living room window on the back of the sofa. She was just laying there looking out the window. The window was open with the screen in. I happen to be standing in front of the sofa at the time. All of the sudden a hulk, swooped down, landing on its back,in the bushes outside the window and the whole time it was trying to get Sadie with it's Talons. I hit on the window. and it had no intension of moving. That was very scary

AbbysMom08 · 10-14-2011, 11:43 PM

OMG!

Glad your little one is ok.
I NEVER let Abby out off leash.
It would be nice if you could open the back door and just let them run around but....you just never know. I'd rather be safe and just keep her on a leash.

SWHouston · 10-15-2011, 12:14 AM

Fellas, you are not going to believe this !

I have to tell you how things are here first...
I have a very secure yard, big trees with very full canopies. There is no direct flight path for an incoming predator type bird. They would have to dodge branches, or light on a branch, then continue their flight.

Today, I was sitting at the Breakfast Table, with Coffee and a Cigarette, just casually looking out the window. My Male Sneakers was outside laying out in the shade, with My Female Becca laying a few feet away from him, in one of the Sun patches, sunning herself. I have a Doggy Door, and they both go in and out when they want. Becca usually always is looking around, trying to see a Squirrel, Dove or something she can chase or stalk, and I saw her turn her head and look up. As she did that, I saw a streak in a downward direction, and she sprang up, TOWARD it !

The Hawk and Becca collided about a foot off of the ground, with Becca grabbing the Hawk by its head or neck. And, it’s apparent now, that she saw/herd it coming toward her.

Coffee went all over the place, as I jumped up and started out around the kitchen and out the back door. It may have taken me no more than 15 seconds to arrive on the scene. By that time, My Male Sneakers had joined Becca, who had already pulled the Hawk’s head off, and he had part of its wing torn off and in his mouth, whipping it back and forth as the remainder of the Hawk flopped around. These two were absolutely ignoring any recall, regardless of how loud I shouted, but, at that time, I really didn’t know that the Hawk was helpless, and actually dead. Then to add insult, neither of them would relinquish THEIR PART of the Hawk, and I had to chase them around the yard a couple times, to recover and dispose of the pieces.

I’m sure that some of you are “cringing” right now, thinking of this happening to one of your little guys, but. Keep in mind, that Sneakers is 3yo/12lbs, and Becca is 1yo/7lbs. What I think happened was, that the Hawk got a glimpse of Becca’s head as she looked around, and didn’t see that there was another 6 pounds of Dog attached to it ! Additionally, this was not a big Hawk, not that I had a very good reference given how many pieces it was in. But, it looked like it’s wingspan was maybe 24” at most. I spend quite a bit of time out in the yard, and I’ve never seen a really large Bird ever.

My guys kill Snakes in the Yard all the time, we live less than 100 yards from a Bayou, which is their favorite place to go for jog/walks. Given the “talk” and concerns I’ve read about Hawks/Predators here, I too was (at one time) concerned about an attack from above.
Those concerns no longer exist.

As some of you may have surmised, I take a somewhat different “slant” on raising my Dogs. The Rough & Tumble, Mud Bug, and go ahead and jump into the Bayou after a Frog, is ok. In fact, there’s a frequent “sick um” offered, just to let them know I’m ok with that.
(when we’re out, I have them on a 25’ Reel/Leash just in case)

Right now, I’m BEAMING with pride, knowing that my guys can take care of themselves when necessary. And, if I had anything to do with that, from the way I encourage them to “use” their natural instincts, that’s just icing on the Cake.
They are Terriers ! Gees, I love Yorkies !

southernbelle04 · 10-15-2011, 09:40 AM

Oh my! How scary! So sorry you had to go through that, but glad you got to your baby in time. I will take this and remember it. We have hawks all in our area and I need to be careful.

Doodlebug · 10-15-2011, 10:05 AM

This is the first year I have noticed hawks circling over our yard. It scares me.

A couple of weeks ago I was walking the baies in the park and a hawk swooped down a few feet over Daisy's head. I was bent over picking up some poop and didn't even see it but a park attendant who was standing near me told me about it. I was so surprised because she is 16 lbs. and I didn't think a hawk would bother a big dog like that. I've seen a hawk just about every time we have been at the park and they are flying down and landing in trees by us. Now I am watching my babies like a 'hawk'. I thought we were safe having a tree canpoy over us but now I know that they can still spot us through the leaves.

SWHouston · 10-15-2011, 11:43 AM

southernbelle,

Actually, I was only startled, and surprised that he Hawk didn't use better judgment ! I got to thinking about what happened later today, and just couldn't hardly believe that Becca pulled that Bird's head off by herself.

She is the most docile, subservient little TailWagger you'd ever want to meet, UNTIL she gets mad. WOW, can she turn into a little Witch, and has on several occasions. When my Male has "attempted" to take a Bone or Toy away from her, the only way he gets away unscathed, is that he can run faster then she can.

I think what happened, as I was responding, was that Sneakers grabbed the Hawk by it's wing, and Becca thought he was trying to get it from her, and actually they pulled it apart together.

Though I'd just as well never see this happen again, I'm very pleased to know that my guys are not going to let something like that happen without putting up a fight.

I had to give both of them Baths, and wash the Blood down off of the grass in the yard, besides, pick up a BUNCH of feathers. A real mess !

HA, they both are sitting at the Patio Door right now, looking outside.
I think they want a rematch !

HeathenFaerie · 10-15-2011, 05:46 PM

I am always outside with Jenks but lately we have had some black Bear sightings nearby so I worry about him getting to close to the woods.

IsabelleOllie · 10-16-2011, 10:30 AM

Today I was driving one of my sons over to visit at a friends house in a large subdivision. I noticed a few red tail hawks circling in the direction that we were headed. It turns out that they were flying over a man walking a toy poodle down the street. It was very upsetting and reminded me of this thread.

vbmapes11 · 10-16-2011, 06:00 PM

Yea it seems that they are out really bad in Ohio right now. Just driving down the rd they are everywhere. I learned my lesson I don't let Soph even 2 ft away from me now. Getting that close scared the sh** out of me

Belle Noir · 10-18-2011, 04:10 AM

I can't be angry or upset that a wild animal is doing what a wild animal does. In most cases, we're encroaching on their territory.
Up north in the US, things should quite down on the raptor front, as most raptors are heading to their winder feeding grounds, and they typically follow prey birds. Of course there are those that will take a shot at someone's dog... Mostly, though, it's when raising a nest that raptors would be the most deadly to our dogs, as they've hungry babies to feed.
Not that that is any ease of mind to those of us that are worried about their yorkies.

I'm a little of the mind like SWHouston.. Pixie is an EXCELLENT bug hunter. She has hunted and dispatched two crickets and a waterbug, with me encouraging her the whole time, because in the end, she is still a terrier, and that's what they do. They hunt vermin! It's no wonder her favorite toy is squeaky mouse.. which was actually a CAT toy, lol.

I have to add this though... Even though wild jaguars have been sighted in southern Texas in recent years, the black panther sighted was likely a released pet. There are lots of exotic big cats in Texas. Black jaguars are rare in the wild, but more common among the "domesticated" jags.
I will concede, there could be wild black jags there as a result of released or escaped black jaguars that were pets.
Also, some cougars are a charcoal color, and can be mistaken for black in low light.
Lastly, there is the jaguarundi, which has a melanistic phase, but they're usually only 20 lbs or so.

I would think, though, our yorkies would be in more danger from raptors and coyotes. Especially coyotes. Big cats, whether jags or cougars, are wary of people, and mostly avoid them, especially if there is abundant prey.
Most cougar attacks show the attacking big cat was usually half starved sub adults.

I don't know. Maybe I just can't get upset, worried or excited over what might happen. All I can do is be aware of it, and try to prevent anything from happening to my Pixie. After all, what might happen also can fall into the lines of what might never happen as well.

10-13-2011, 02:38 PM	#31
Teresa Ford Therapy Yorkies Work Donating Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, Florida Posts: 3,863	OMG Kristen, the idea gives me chills ! I don't know anything about trained hawks or falcons. But I think to be on the safe side I would leave. I agree that a Yorkie is often the size of a rabbit or other furry prey. Please be safe. Kristen said " When I take the boys out on the 30' leashes, the rotten hawks often will show up and start diving toward us." __________________ Teresa & Rubin, Gracie, Abba, Ginny Joy and Julia Rose Act like a dog, be kind, forgiving, and loyal.

10-14-2011, 09:04 PM	#35
chloe2007 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 166	We have a lot of hawks here, but I am always right behind Chloe when she goes out, even though I have a fenced yard. One other thing, be sure to keep an eye out for owls at night, we have the largest owl that I have ever seen hanging around this year. __________________ Chloe and Roscoe

10-14-2011, 10:53 PM	#36
brendarash Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Shore of Maryland Posts: 375	Birds of prey A few years back my little 3 lb Sadie, was laying in front of the large living room window on the back of the sofa. She was just laying there looking out the window. The window was open with the screen in. I happen to be standing in front of the sofa at the time. All of the sudden a hulk, swooped down, landing on its back,in the bushes outside the window and the whole time it was trying to get Sadie with it's Talons. I hit on the window. and it had no intension of moving. That was very scary __________________ Brenda Jackie,Sadie, Rosie, Julie and Sophie my other non yorkie fur babies Romeo Lillie and Sammie, Jessie, Callie, Cloie.

10-14-2011, 11:43 PM	#37
AbbysMom08 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,269	OMG! Glad your little one is ok. I NEVER let Abby out off leash. It would be nice if you could open the back door and just let them run around but....you just never know. I'd rather be safe and just keep her on a leash. __________________ Jan, Mommy to Abby

10-15-2011, 12:14 AM	#38
SWHouston YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, Tx. U.S.A. Posts: 1,537 Blog Entries: 1	Hawk-0 yorkies-1 Fellas, you are not going to believe this ! I have to tell you how things are here first... I have a very secure yard, big trees with very full canopies. There is no direct flight path for an incoming predator type bird. They would have to dodge branches, or light on a branch, then continue their flight. Today, I was sitting at the Breakfast Table, with Coffee and a Cigarette, just casually looking out the window. My Male Sneakers was outside laying out in the shade, with My Female Becca laying a few feet away from him, in one of the Sun patches, sunning herself. I have a Doggy Door, and they both go in and out when they want. Becca usually always is looking around, trying to see a Squirrel, Dove or something she can chase or stalk, and I saw her turn her head and look up. As she did that, I saw a streak in a downward direction, and she sprang up, TOWARD it ! The Hawk and Becca collided about a foot off of the ground, with Becca grabbing the Hawk by its head or neck. And, it’s apparent now, that she saw/herd it coming toward her. Coffee went all over the place, as I jumped up and started out around the kitchen and out the back door. It may have taken me no more than 15 seconds to arrive on the scene. By that time, My Male Sneakers had joined Becca, who had already pulled the Hawk’s head off, and he had part of its wing torn off and in his mouth, whipping it back and forth as the remainder of the Hawk flopped around. These two were absolutely ignoring any recall, regardless of how loud I shouted, but, at that time, I really didn’t know that the Hawk was helpless, and actually dead. Then to add insult, neither of them would relinquish THEIR PART of the Hawk, and I had to chase them around the yard a couple times, to recover and dispose of the pieces. I’m sure that some of you are “cringing” right now, thinking of this happening to one of your little guys, but. Keep in mind, that Sneakers is 3yo/12lbs, and Becca is 1yo/7lbs. What I think happened was, that the Hawk got a glimpse of Becca’s head as she looked around, and didn’t see that there was another 6 pounds of Dog attached to it ! Additionally, this was not a big Hawk, not that I had a very good reference given how many pieces it was in. But, it looked like it’s wingspan was maybe 24” at most. I spend quite a bit of time out in the yard, and I’ve never seen a really large Bird ever. My guys kill Snakes in the Yard all the time, we live less than 100 yards from a Bayou, which is their favorite place to go for jog/walks. Given the “talk” and concerns I’ve read about Hawks/Predators here, I too was (at one time) concerned about an attack from above. Those concerns no longer exist. As some of you may have surmised, I take a somewhat different “slant” on raising my Dogs. The Rough & Tumble, Mud Bug, and go ahead and jump into the Bayou after a Frog, is ok. In fact, there’s a frequent “sick um” offered, just to let them know I’m ok with that. (when we’re out, I have them on a 25’ Reel/Leash just in case) Right now, I’m BEAMING with pride, knowing that my guys can take care of themselves when necessary. And, if I had anything to do with that, from the way I encourage them to “use” their natural instincts, that’s just icing on the Cake. They are Terriers ! Gees, I love Yorkies ! __________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca.

10-13-2011, 03:23 PM	#32
Gatord ♥ Jack & Josie ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: FL Posts: 1,235	I have hawks here too. Every time a thread on hawks I post. It makes me so mad. I have 2-acres and Josie and Jack love to run. But I can't let them out anymore cause of the hawk here. You can hear him swaking every morning. I am so sick of him. And yes bird feeders draw the hawks to the smaller birds. I had one till I read that. I love the other birds and listening to them but now I can't feed them cause all I am doing is bringing the hawk closer in. I read somewhere what to put out to scare the hawks, but can't remember what it was. It wouldn't help me cause I have too much property. Owls too, watch out for them.

10-13-2011, 03:29 PM	#33
Gatord ♥ Jack & Josie ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: FL Posts: 1,235	Last year one was hanging out in my yard. In a tree on my property right where Jack and Josie use to play. I know he was over their waiting on them. I would shoot at him with a B B gun. He would not budge till I would get close to him. I would go to work fussing about it. An attorney told me one day, just rememeber if the B B guns turns more powerful, destroy the evidence. No I don't want him killed just away from us.

10-15-2011, 09:40 AM	#39
southernbelle04 Katie Scarlett's Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 7,554 Blog Entries: 1	Oh my! How scary! So sorry you had to go through that, but glad you got to your baby in time. I will take this and remember it. We have hawks all in our area and I need to be careful. __________________ Aymee & Katie Scarlett

10-15-2011, 10:05 AM	#40
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	This is the first year I have noticed hawks circling over our yard. It scares me. A couple of weeks ago I was walking the baies in the park and a hawk swooped down a few feet over Daisy's head. I was bent over picking up some poop and didn't even see it but a park attendant who was standing near me told me about it. I was so surprised because she is 16 lbs. and I didn't think a hawk would bother a big dog like that. I've seen a hawk just about every time we have been at the park and they are flying down and landing in trees by us. Now I am watching my babies like a 'hawk'. I thought we were safe having a tree canpoy over us but now I know that they can still spot us through the leaves. __________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE

10-15-2011, 11:43 AM	#41
SWHouston YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, Tx. U.S.A. Posts: 1,537 Blog Entries: 1	southernbelle, Actually, I was only startled, and surprised that he Hawk didn't use better judgment ! I got to thinking about what happened later today, and just couldn't hardly believe that Becca pulled that Bird's head off by herself. She is the most docile, subservient little TailWagger you'd ever want to meet, UNTIL she gets mad. WOW, can she turn into a little Witch, and has on several occasions. When my Male has "attempted" to take a Bone or Toy away from her, the only way he gets away unscathed, is that he can run faster then she can. I think what happened, as I was responding, was that Sneakers grabbed the Hawk by it's wing, and Becca thought he was trying to get it from her, and actually they pulled it apart together. Though I'd just as well never see this happen again, I'm very pleased to know that my guys are not going to let something like that happen without putting up a fight. I had to give both of them Baths, and wash the Blood down off of the grass in the yard, besides, pick up a BUNCH of feathers. A real mess ! HA, they both are sitting at the Patio Door right now, looking outside. I think they want a rematch ! __________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca.

10-15-2011, 05:46 PM	#42
HeathenFaerie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westminster Posts: 97	I am always outside with Jenks but lately we have had some black Bear sightings nearby so I worry about him getting to close to the woods.

10-16-2011, 10:30 AM	#43
IsabelleOllie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Syracuse NY Posts: 1,590	Today I was driving one of my sons over to visit at a friends house in a large subdivision. I noticed a few red tail hawks circling in the direction that we were headed. It turns out that they were flying over a man walking a toy poodle down the street. It was very upsetting and reminded me of this thread. __________________ Melissa and Belle

10-16-2011, 06:00 PM	#44
vbmapes11 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 37	Yea it seems that they are out really bad in Ohio right now. Just driving down the rd they are everywhere. I learned my lesson I don't let Soph even 2 ft away from me now. Getting that close scared the sh** out of me

10-18-2011, 04:10 AM	#45
Belle Noir YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Reading, PA, USA Posts: 258	I can't be angry or upset that a wild animal is doing what a wild animal does. In most cases, we're encroaching on their territory. Up north in the US, things should quite down on the raptor front, as most raptors are heading to their winder feeding grounds, and they typically follow prey birds. Of course there are those that will take a shot at someone's dog... Mostly, though, it's when raising a nest that raptors would be the most deadly to our dogs, as they've hungry babies to feed. Not that that is any ease of mind to those of us that are worried about their yorkies. I'm a little of the mind like SWHouston.. Pixie is an EXCELLENT bug hunter. She has hunted and dispatched two crickets and a waterbug, with me encouraging her the whole time, because in the end, she is still a terrier, and that's what they do. They hunt vermin! It's no wonder her favorite toy is squeaky mouse.. which was actually a CAT toy, lol. I have to add this though... Even though wild jaguars have been sighted in southern Texas in recent years, the black panther sighted was likely a released pet. There are lots of exotic big cats in Texas. Black jaguars are rare in the wild, but more common among the "domesticated" jags. I will concede, there could be wild black jags there as a result of released or escaped black jaguars that were pets. Also, some cougars are a charcoal color, and can be mistaken for black in low light. Lastly, there is the jaguarundi, which has a melanistic phase, but they're usually only 20 lbs or so. I would think, though, our yorkies would be in more danger from raptors and coyotes. Especially coyotes. Big cats, whether jags or cougars, are wary of people, and mostly avoid them, especially if there is abundant prey. Most cougar attacks show the attacking big cat was usually half starved sub adults. I don't know. Maybe I just can't get upset, worried or excited over what might happen. All I can do is be aware of it, and try to prevent anything from happening to my Pixie. After all, what might happen also can fall into the lines of what might never happen as well.