Very cool Mtnman. I wouldn't have thought redtails for hunting. I know of some well trained falcons nearby at the USAFA. Redtails are fairly large around here. Thats a lot of bird to be holding on a gauntlet covered arm.
They're worse when they're holding you (instead of you holding them), and there's no gauntlet in the way... On the gauntlet is no problem at all, unless you fly them from the fist and carry them all day. The females are generally in the 42-47oz range, males are 32-38oz around here.
They're truly phenomenal birds, and are great if you have rabbits or squirrels available. A hunting redtail is a completely different bird than the lazy, soaring, bird most people see them as. I've flown others as well, but day-in and day-out they're tough to beat.
You're probably aware, but I'll mention it anyway... It's an extremely regulated sport; the most regulated in the world. State and Federal permitting is required.
