Two flights on separate coveys today, both involving not only Roach but his Prairie Falcon friend who I hadnt seen in a while until today. I think she is the only reason we didnt put one in the bag today.
First flush I didnt know she was there, second I thought she was gone. First covey flushed clean with Roach at 800'. He put in a nice stoop and then pulled out before hitting one of the huns. The Prairie was stooping, too, from somewhere really wide of the flush - I am sure Roach knew she was in the air with him.
She changed target to Roach, making a pass at him then chasing him around trying to crab with him. She really wanted a fight, but luckily Roach didnt and - even though he is only flying ~3x/week - he was able to outfly her pretty easily.
She got tired of chasing him around then went off to follow Greta around a while hoping for a freebie. Eventually she left and we were able to get another point. With Roach at ~1000' and a little wide, I flushed the birds. Down he came with the flying going over the crest of the hill so I couldnt see the ending. What I did see was him beelining it back with her on his ass again.
I pulled the lure and brought him down at that point. She circled us a bit while he ate and followed Greta a little longer before heading out.
Here are a couple pictures of her chasing Roach (shes the lighter bird behind) and following Greta.
I feel finished with the season. I dont mean this negatively - this has been one of my best seasons, if not my best - but I feel done. I have been going since mid-August, and this sport is every day - in case thats not abundantly clear by this and last year's topic at this point - whether I am hunting that day or not, especially so with Roach who I cant just leave out in the weathering area for the day like other birds for fear of him beating himself up and injuring himself as he has in the past.
I spoke to his breeder yesterday hoping to put him back in one of the breeding chambers this week, but he isnt ready for Roach for another couple weeks. Im going to fly throw next weekend then Ill fatten him up for a week before he goes into the chamber. I have my own chamber he could go into temporarily, but thats more trouble than its worth so Im just going to enjoy a few more flights with him, hopefully killing another hun or two.
