Everybody has caught

Each Harris’s Hawk has caught at least a small game bird. This morning I took Cisco out for a squirrel, actually close to weight. 

Arbitrarily and coincidentally, Cisco flies squirrels very well with a 900 gram net body weight. With gear, this is around 920. After some sluggish outings an ounce or two above this, today was different. 907. Also it was cool and sunny, but after taking Cisco and Farrah out for a number of boring non-productive squirrel trips, I was not in a patient mood. It was to be thirty minutes and leave.

It started out all right, but Cisco drifted toward the road on the west side of the woods. I had to move him back, though I avoid calling him while squirrel hunting. He followed, swooping low and close over my head. Reset. Then he headed back to the west again. Arnold was running around, doing well. I heard a familiar smack. Arnold and I ran in. I called Cisco. He had a squirrel but on the way down he got hung up on some branches. Furthermore, upside down, he appeared to be having a bite fight with a squirrel. Usually very bad and stressful. Down Cisco dropped at my feet, with the squirrel held perfectly, both feet on the head, and no bites. First catch of the 18th season for Cisco. He's as good as ever. 

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