Eagle Hunting

Ticonderoga · December 27, 2010, 11:37 AM

My last year hunting was 2002. It was a good year and I dropped a heavy 8 point buck in northern Texas using a .50 cal (.44 sabot) muzzle loader. It was my first buck of size and I was quite pleased. I used a 240gr Nosler jacketed soft point from about 35 yards. Round was a through and through, clipped the top of both lungs and blew the aorta out of the exit hole (I found it hanging from the bush behind where the buck was standing). The buck ran about 30 meters spraying blood out the entry and exit hole until he ran out and piled up. He was a good size for a N. Texas deer weighing almost 200 lbs before dressing.

I went overseas for the Army and then on business and haven't had a chance to hunt since.

While travelling on the trans-Siberian Railroad last year I had a chance to do some hunting and I was quite excited about it. My tour began in Ukraine and I trained the length of Russia past Lake Baikal to Mongolia, toured there for a few weeks and then continued to China.

I had read about Eagle hunting in my tourbook and saw that it was only offered during the winter months. Crazy as I am, I was traveling Siberia and Mongolia in the Fall/Winter and I thought that I should give it a try.

I have the hunt broken down day by day or a few posts a day as warranted by the action that we had. I'll just put a link for the whole of Mongolia; if you scroll down to "Flight to Ulgi," that is where my hunt really begins. But, if you want to skip ahead to the action you can scroll down to some of the Eagle Hunting links.

Eagle Hunting

James H · December 30, 2010, 02:23 AM

Looks like an interesting experience...and nice pics! I just skimmed your blog so far. I'll try to look at it in more detail if I get a chance.

It's interesting to see how people hunt outside of what we normally think of as hunting in North America or Australia or a safari in Africa, etc. I didn't get to see it myself, but a friend of mine got to see an iguana hunt in Panama when we were there a number of years ago. I guess the locals ended up getting one about 2-3 ft long. I wonder how they taste. Probably like chicken. Not sure exactly how they did it. I'd have to ask my buddy about it again. It kinda makes talk about rifles' MOA capability seem silly.

Archer 9505 · December 30, 2010, 07:57 AM

Looks like a very cool experience. I have to confess; when I read "Eagle Hunting" . My first thought was "Why on earth would anyone want to hunt Eagles?" (I am a little slow on the pick up). Looks like you are having some interesting adventures.

Ticonderoga · February 14, 2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

James H writes: Looks like an interesting experience...and nice pics! I just skimmed your blog so far. I'll try to look at it in more detail if I get a chance.

It's interesting to see how people hunt outside of what we normally think of as hunting in North America or Australia or a safari in Africa, etc. I didn't get to see it myself, but a friend of mine got to see an iguana hunt in Panama when we were there a number of years ago. I guess the locals ended up getting one about 2-3 ft long. I wonder how they taste. Probably like chicken. Not sure exactly how they did it. I'd have to ask my buddy about it again. It kinda makes talk about rifles' MOA capability seem silly.

James, I can't speak to whether or not this young man hunted this Iguana but they were certainly on the menu in Nicaragua:

Iguana on the menu

Fat White Boy · February 15, 2011, 12:36 AM

I had heard stories of eagles carrying off a lamb or goat but didn't really believe them. A few years ago, I was chukar hunting in Nevada when I got a glimpse of what I thought was a bear cub on the side of a mountain. When I got closer, the "cub" spread its wings and took off. It was a huge golden eagle. A big Mo'Fo'. I have seen several since then and I am impressed every time I see one. I believe that an eagle can kill livestock or smaller ungulates. An amazing sight....

T- Did you see any Marco Polo sheep?

mete · February 15, 2011, 03:57 AM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ew-levels.html

Note that this is a national sport and they teach kids at an early age !!!

Ticonderoga · April 12, 2011, 04:07 PM

Nope, didn't see any sheep...

markj · April 13, 2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

on the menu in Nicaragua

Stay out of the lake, they is sharks in there will eat a man. Only place in the world has fresh water sharks....

cant say more than that

wouldnt want to live there....

Ticonderoga · April 15, 2011, 02:20 AM

Sharks in Lake Nicaragua are mostly harmless as they are in the rest of the world's oceans. Considering that EVERY salt water body of water is shark infested, and the millions of daily swimmers, that only a few are attacked each year shows how innocuous they are. You are 3 x more likely to be struck by lightning than bittten (not killed, just bitten) by a shark.

Tuzo · April 15, 2011, 10:55 AM

My first thought was why is anyone hunting eagles? After reading a few words of the post I realized it is hunting with eagles.

Worked in Kazakhstan for a number of years and steppe eagles are numerous along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. Beautiful birds. Hunting with eagles is also done in Kazakhstan but it is not too popular in western KZ.

Excellent photographs, with narrative, of a beautiful country and good hunting.

kraigwy · April 15, 2011, 11:19 AM

What was the altitude, geeezzz, hunting elk at 8-10,000 ft kills me, looks like your lungs would explode up there.

Great blog, great pictures.

Jim Watson · April 15, 2011, 12:08 PM

Actually, once upon a time, eagles were considered varmints for preying on young game animals like fawns, kids, and lambs that could grow up into trophies. The .25-06 was a popular eagle rifle caliber. Elmer Keith has some unfavorable comments on eagle behavior in Sixguns.

We are more enlightened, now.

markj · April 15, 2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

that only a few are attacked each year

I was told by the locals to stay out of the water.

Tree chickens are tasty too. grilled

mquail · April 18, 2011, 04:30 PM

There are roughly 4,000 falconers in the US of A. Some of us do fly eagles but I'm not one of the eagle guys.

Dan Mannix wrote, "A Sporting Chance", which is a stupendous read if you can find the book.

Brad

Dr. Strangelove · April 18, 2011, 04:40 PM

Hahaha, fooled by the title as well.

National Geographic channel just did a cool special on a Mongolian 16yr old who had to capture a baby eagle and train it to hunt to become a man. It was an interesting show.

wpcexpert · May 6, 2011, 02:52 AM

Haven't yall seen the video on you tube where the Golden Eagle takes out a deer. That is an awesome video.

langenc · May 6, 2011, 05:29 PM

Dont plabn on bringing any home with you. I suspect that is a big NoNo.

Elmer Keith (Hell I was There) talks abouit killing them in his book. They do kill kid sheep/goats.

December 27, 2010, 11:37 AM	#1
Ticonderoga Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Posts: 48	Eagle Hunting My last year hunting was 2002. It was a good year and I dropped a heavy 8 point buck in northern Texas using a .50 cal (.44 sabot) muzzle loader. It was my first buck of size and I was quite pleased. I used a 240gr Nosler jacketed soft point from about 35 yards. Round was a through and through, clipped the top of both lungs and blew the aorta out of the exit hole (I found it hanging from the bush behind where the buck was standing). The buck ran about 30 meters spraying blood out the entry and exit hole until he ran out and piled up. He was a good size for a N. Texas deer weighing almost 200 lbs before dressing. I went overseas for the Army and then on business and haven't had a chance to hunt since. While travelling on the trans-Siberian Railroad last year I had a chance to do some hunting and I was quite excited about it. My tour began in Ukraine and I trained the length of Russia past Lake Baikal to Mongolia, toured there for a few weeks and then continued to China. I had read about Eagle hunting in my tourbook and saw that it was only offered during the winter months. Crazy as I am, I was traveling Siberia and Mongolia in the Fall/Winter and I thought that I should give it a try. I have the hunt broken down day by day or a few posts a day as warranted by the action that we had. I'll just put a link for the whole of Mongolia; if you scroll down to "Flight to Ulgi," that is where my hunt really begins. But, if you want to skip ahead to the action you can scroll down to some of the Eagle Hunting links. Eagle Hunting

December 30, 2010, 07:57 AM	#3
Archer 9505 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 213	Hunting (With) Eagles Looks like a very cool experience. I have to confess; when I read "Eagle Hunting" . My first thought was "Why on earth would anyone want to hunt Eagles?" (I am a little slow on the pick up). Looks like you are having some interesting adventures. __________________ NRA Life Member "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will" It's a free country; in a free country, freedom is for more than just those that conform to the accepted.

February 15, 2011, 12:36 AM	#5
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I had heard stories of eagles carrying off a lamb or goat but didn't really believe them. A few years ago, I was chukar hunting in Nevada when I got a glimpse of what I thought was a bear cub on the side of a mountain. When I got closer, the "cub" spread its wings and took off. It was a huge golden eagle. A big Mo'Fo'. I have seen several since then and I am impressed every time I see one. I believe that an eagle can kill livestock or smaller ungulates. An amazing sight.... T- Did you see any Marco Polo sheep? Last edited by Fat White Boy; February 15, 2011 at 12:44 AM.

February 15, 2011, 03:57 AM	#6
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ew-levels.html Note that this is a national sport and they teach kids at an early age !!! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

April 12, 2011, 04:07 PM	#7
Ticonderoga Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Posts: 48	no sheep Nope, didn't see any sheep... __________________ Around the World and Back

December 30, 2010, 02:23 AM	#2
James H Junior member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: The high plains of Wyoming Posts: 164	Looks like an interesting experience...and nice pics! I just skimmed your blog so far. I'll try to look at it in more detail if I get a chance. It's interesting to see how people hunt outside of what we normally think of as hunting in North America or Australia or a safari in Africa, etc. I didn't get to see it myself, but a friend of mine got to see an iguana hunt in Panama when we were there a number of years ago. I guess the locals ended up getting one about 2-3 ft long. I wonder how they taste. Probably like chicken. Not sure exactly how they did it. I'd have to ask my buddy about it again. It kinda makes talk about rifles' MOA capability seem silly.

April 15, 2011, 02:20 AM	#9
Ticonderoga Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Posts: 48	harmless Sharks in Lake Nicaragua are mostly harmless as they are in the rest of the world's oceans. Considering that EVERY salt water body of water is shark infested, and the millions of daily swimmers, that only a few are attacked each year shows how innocuous they are. You are 3 x more likely to be struck by lightning than bittten (not killed, just bitten) by a shark. __________________ Around the World and Back

April 15, 2011, 10:55 AM	#10
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	My first thought was why is anyone hunting eagles? After reading a few words of the post I realized it is hunting with eagles. Worked in Kazakhstan for a number of years and steppe eagles are numerous along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. Beautiful birds. Hunting with eagles is also done in Kazakhstan but it is not too popular in western KZ. Excellent photographs, with narrative, of a beautiful country and good hunting.

April 15, 2011, 11:19 AM	#11
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	What was the altitude, geeezzz, hunting elk at 8-10,000 ft kills me, looks like your lungs would explode up there. Great blog, great pictures. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

April 15, 2011, 12:08 PM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Actually, once upon a time, eagles were considered varmints for preying on young game animals like fawns, kids, and lambs that could grow up into trophies. The .25-06 was a popular eagle rifle caliber. Elmer Keith has some unfavorable comments on eagle behavior in Sixguns. We are more enlightened, now.

April 18, 2011, 04:30 PM	#14
mquail Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 148	There are roughly 4,000 falconers in the US of A. Some of us do fly eagles but I'm not one of the eagle guys. Dan Mannix wrote, "A Sporting Chance", which is a stupendous read if you can find the book. Brad

April 18, 2011, 04:40 PM	#15
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Hahaha, fooled by the title as well. National Geographic channel just did a cool special on a Mongolian 16yr old who had to capture a baby eagle and train it to hunt to become a man. It was an interesting show. __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.

May 6, 2011, 02:52 AM	#16
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	Haven't yall seen the video on you tube where the Golden Eagle takes out a deer. That is an awesome video. __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson

May 6, 2011, 05:29 PM	#17
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Dont plabn on bringing any home with you. I suspect that is a big NoNo. Elmer Keith (Hell I was There) talks abouit killing them in his book. They do kill kid sheep/goats.