Harris's hawks and Jack Russell terriers in action

Chainsaw, Gator, and an unlucky rabbit

Some days it just doesn't pay to be a rabbit. This is a European rabbit on San Juan Island WA, caught between a hawk and a hard place. The hawk is Chainsaw, a fantastic Harris's hawk bred by Tom and Jennifer Coulson and flown by Jerry Fraulini. The dog is Gator, one of my Jack Russell terriers (now retired from hawking due to being nearly blind and deaf at age 13). Jack Russells and JRT-beagle crosses have become an important part of rabbit hawking in the Pacific Northwest (and elsewhere). In his prime, Gator could track rabbits and flush them from the thickest blackberry bushes, providing a high-quality flight for my Harris's hawks and a more productive day for me. In this case Gator is rewarded by getting a piece of the action after Chainsaw makes the catch. Gator also adds a little variety to the ordinary bag of rabbits by doing some freelance work on opossums, raccoons, feral cats, porcupines, and skunks.  Photo by Harvey Bradshaw.

Killer and jack

Killer, one of my former hunting birds and current breeders, reaps the rewards of a 400+ yard flight on a black-tailed jackrabbit.

Milo and mountain cottontail

One minute the cottontail is enjoying a late breakfast, the next minute Milo is enjoying an early dinner.

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Last revised: 15-Jul-2004