This is my hunting partner TJ. We are frustrated with this heat and cant wait to get out and enjoy this years hunts. He manages to catch rats and squirrels throughout the summer in our backyard, but no running around the fields like we do. He hunts with my redtail hawk. Following her thru the fields, crossing streams etc... his job is to kep the squirrels treed up while the hawk takes the high points in the trees. Since I started using my dog in falconry our catches have increased, mostly in the rabbit area. It is incredible to watch the pair go, they work off each other amazingly. If the dog barks or suddenly starts a chase, the hawk knows he has something and will join in immediately. When the dog hears the hawk coming he knows its time to back off and let her do her thing. We use small bells on the hawks legs and TJ knows the sound of those bells very well, so he usually slams the brakes on. Im anxious for the summer to be over...patience is a virtue, something that is essential in the art of falconry.
The ink illustration is an older piece I did for a magazine article on my dogs dad, "Trapper" It was sort of a speed piece as well. I found out it was due for print on the next day and had to get it to the fed ex box that day! I had a watch next to me and I did the piece in 20 minutes rushed to fed ex and it was off! I did the matching piece of Tj and that took me 2 hours! oh what deadlines do!...enjoy
