Perfect explanation, Ben. I would like to add one more benefit using extender. Once I faced the situation when my saker sudenly started breake tail feathers and I did not have any idea when and where it could happen. Falcon had been living for a half year before it happened and everything was OK with feathers. The same leash, the same block, swivel, jesses ... even the same bird and falconer 😀 Then I figured out that tail feathers were broken by swivel when saker jumped (despite of leash was tied 1-2 inches from the ground). I applied the extender to place swivel lower than tail and the issue was solved
Just came across your videos about a week ago because I'm interested in getting into Falconry. You've been very informative and have answered questions that I couldn't find answers to such as what's the purpose of the extender because I too was in the same thought process why not just make it longer from the get-go. I would love to see more equipment information on equipment with explanations and how to make it.
When you show the example with the oversize kit you blew my mind. I was just having this very problem with my new (and first) peregrine, and I was confused why this was happening because I'd never had this problem with any of my RTs... I was beginning to wonder if this was a difference in species. Now I realize it's because (for the first time since being a falconer) I hadn't been using a leash extender. Guess I better braid myself on tonight! Once again, thanks for the insight.
Hi, it's excellent, even though I don't use it. For hawks, I prefer to have one more swivel about 1/3 of the way in the leash. For falcons and eagles, only a classic leash. In eagle jesses with two holes to shorten the jesses so that it does not step over the pearcher.
I do agree it's beneficial to show how it's made. What if we are in the field and lose a piece of equipment and have to make one? Every falconer should at least have an idea of how to.
Good point, another good purpose of the leash extender is if the bird is bating a lot swivel is damaging the tail.. with leash extender, the swivel is away from the tail and leash extender does not damage the tail that much if it goes through the tail during bating.
It's to stop the swivel passing through the tail when bating and destroying the tail that's its purpose I'm just referring to shorter tailed falcons for a Gosshawk/Harris I'd use a longer extender. Since I've started using braid I've had zero broken tail feathers touch wood.
I heard some peregrines up on a tall spire when I was in town today. Most likely juveniles that have fledged fairly recently.I never got to see them though as I never had time to hang around.
It is not a LEASH EXTENDER, it is a JESSE EXTENDER. Most people in casual discussion just refer to it as an "extender", so the confusion is natural. But it is not extending the leash, it is extending the Jesses and this component has been in use for ~1000 years or so primarily in Arabia. It has only recently been widely adopted in Europe and America. Another key benefit is that it moves the swivel lower in the system so that the swivel does not go through the tail (especially in accipiters). It also lets you use shorter jesses without the swivel causing issues.
An Arab falconer told me the reason they use them is to lower the swivel away from the falcon’s beak. Evidently, sakers will chew on a swivel enough to break their beaks
I love the leash extender. In my opinion - one of the greatest complements to falconry equipment and bird husbandry. I wonder who the first falcononer was who started doing this, because the ideal was not around when I started? Whoever it was? Thank you!
I'd love to see equipment making videos. Specifically, I'd like to see you make and use a lure for buteos. All the information I've ever seen shows design and techniques to make and use bird lures for falcons, then they append a quick statement to the end like 'for a red-tail, make a lure that looks like a bunny' So I've got a bunny lure, and he comes to it, but I feel like I'm not using it right, since there's no added benefit compared to just calling him to the glove when I want him back.
Perfect explanation, Ben. I would like to add one more benefit using extender. Once I faced the situation when my saker sudenly started breake tail feathers and I did not have any idea when and where it could happen. Falcon had been living for a half year before it happened and everything was OK with feathers. The same leash, the same block, swivel, jesses ... even the same bird and falconer 😀 Then I figured out that tail feathers were broken by swivel when saker jumped (despite of leash was tied 1-2 inches from the ground). I applied the extender to place swivel lower than tail and the issue was solved
I would have known 0 benefits to the leash extender without this video, and seeing the making of equipment would be great video content!
what a great communicator :)
Love this. I'm a new raptor rehabber not a falconer - but do flight reconditioning on creance and this is really great info! Thanks
Thank you Ben. I had never even heard of this equipment.
THANK YOU for explaining this!
Just came across your videos about a week ago because I'm interested in getting into Falconry. You've been very informative and have answered questions that I couldn't find answers to such as what's the purpose of the extender because I too was in the same thought process why not just make it longer from the get-go.
I would love to see more equipment information on equipment with explanations and how to make it.
When you show the example with the oversize kit you blew my mind. I was just having this very problem with my new (and first) peregrine, and I was confused why this was happening because I'd never had this problem with any of my RTs... I was beginning to wonder if this was a difference in species. Now I realize it's because (for the first time since being a falconer) I hadn't been using a leash extender. Guess I better braid myself on tonight! Once again, thanks for the insight.
Great explanation of the leash extender. It also allows for shorter Jesse's so the falcon won't staddle block.
I was a bit stuck here so makes swnce thanks dude
Hi Ben, yes please a follow up video. thankyou
Supervaluable
More than 30 years not knowing its value and not using it
Makes sense 100pct
I will use tomorrow
Ok cool, answered my question, thanks.
Hi, it's excellent, even though I don't use it. For hawks, I prefer to have one more swivel about 1/3 of the way in the leash. For falcons and eagles, only a classic leash. In eagle jesses with two holes to shorten the jesses so that it does not step over the pearcher.
Yes please I would love to see how jesses are made. Thank you
Great video Ben!
It would be great to see a follow up video on how to create the leash extender!
Can u make a video on squirrel chaps and how to please?
Please show how you make the extenders
Yes!!! Please make more videos about crafting equipment❤️
I do agree it's beneficial to show how it's made. What if we are in the field and lose a piece of equipment and have to make one? Every falconer should at least have an idea of how to.
Definitely would enjoy seeing your methods for making falconry equipment. I’ve been making my own but always find handy tips from you. Thanks!
Dear Ben I have question about vita hawk do you have a video on vita hawk and the usage of it
Yes please show us how to make whatever, its always good to see how people make things.
I would enjoy video on Leash Extender make.
Only a falconer would pay ridiculous amounts for a piece of "string
Lol ain’t it the truth!!!!!!!! I think you have to be a little bit crazy to engage in this sport.
Always interested in seeing more equipment videos.
Could you make videos on harpy eagles please
Good point, another good purpose of the leash extender is if the bird is bating a lot swivel is damaging the tail.. with leash extender, the swivel is away from the tail and leash extender does not damage the tail that much if it goes through the tail during bating.
I believe the equipment you are referring to is actually called a jess extender.
It's to stop the swivel passing through the tail when bating and destroying the tail that's its purpose I'm just referring to shorter tailed falcons for a Gosshawk/Harris I'd use a longer extender. Since I've started using braid I've had zero broken tail feathers touch wood.
Use shorter Jesse of the correct length
and a light weight titanium swivel, no extender required !
I'd call it a swivel extender then
Good video. I like the leather extender you held up. I wonder if they can be made from other materials than leather.
I heard some peregrines up on a tall spire when I was in town today. Most likely juveniles that have fledged fairly recently.I never got to see them though as I never had time to hang around.
It is not a LEASH EXTENDER, it is a JESSE EXTENDER. Most people in casual discussion just refer to it as an "extender", so the confusion is natural. But it is not extending the leash, it is extending the Jesses and this component has been in use for ~1000 years or so primarily in Arabia. It has only recently been widely adopted in Europe and America.
Another key benefit is that it moves the swivel lower in the system so that the swivel does not go through the tail (especially in accipiters). It also lets you use shorter jesses without the swivel causing issues.
An Arab falconer told me the reason they use them is to lower the swivel away from the falcon’s beak. Evidently, sakers will chew on a swivel enough to break their beaks
I love the leash extender. In my opinion - one of the greatest complements to falconry equipment and bird husbandry. I wonder who the first falcononer was who started doing this, because the ideal was not around when I started? Whoever it was? Thank you!
I'd love to see equipment making videos.
Specifically, I'd like to see you make and use a lure for buteos. All the information I've ever seen shows design and techniques to make and use bird lures for falcons, then they append a quick statement to the end like 'for a red-tail, make a lure that looks like a bunny'
So I've got a bunny lure, and he comes to it, but I feel like I'm not using it right, since there's no added benefit compared to just calling him to the glove when I want him back.
I wonder what it would be like to have an otus scops owl as a falconary bird
Sence sorry