Want to see a REALLY neat video? Wolf hunting with Golden Eagles in Mongolia

Youtube ^ | September 10, 2009 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

This is a phenominal video. Would not have believed it unless I had seen it. Makes me want to take a trip over there and spend some time with these old boys to experience it in person.

HUNTING WOLVES WITH GOLDEN EAGLES IN MONGOLIA

Big birds those. Wouldn't want a couple of those sic'ed on me I will tell you. Look at the size of those talons.

Looks like in many cases they go after the throat and then hold them there...and in a couple of cases when it looked like the wolf might get the upper hand...another Eagle quickly put an end to that.

[Double Tap]

Yes, they had to send in a second in one of the scenes on this video. The dog was going to kill the first eagle.

I can’t put a finger on it as to why, but I find the video and “hunt” repulsive on several levels. And I’ve hunted since I was 6 and have killed a number of fox and a couple truckloads of ‘yotes.

[B.O. Plenty]

I wonder whose side PETA is on....bump

[Jeff Head]

I don't find it repulsive. These are herders, who over centuries have developed a method to protect their goats and sheep from predators.

Here in the states we use rifles...and, in very remote areas of the Intermountain West (formerly) and Alaska have used aircraft.

These herders have trained and used eagles. I think it is an amazing example of a population, in a very remote area, using the tools God has provided them with, to eak a living off the land.

[Eastbound]

"Not done "for killing sake," in the least, any more than western ranchers here in the US kill wolves just fro the sake of killing them."

That's true, Jeff. Although it's been a while since I saw a "Have you hugged a Mexican Wolf lately?" bumper sticker.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[MississippiMan]

I’ve had occasion to travel to some Eastern Bloc countries over the past year and it surprised me to see the way eagles are used there. You’ll stop at a rest stop or scenic overlook and there will be four or five different guys there with golden eagles on tethers. The purpose? They want you to pay them to have your picture taken with an eagle. Bizarre, not to mention kinda sad to me.

MM

[bonfire]

Drive down Rt. 11 and there’s so many you stop counting.