Report Excerpt. Original by Sheldon Nicolle
Photos by Greg Pearson
and Steve Oleson

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The 2009 Annual Field Meet was a huge success. Friday evening events started with two presentations highlighting things that make falconry so rewarding. Don Roeber reminded all of us about the duties and responsibilities that go hand in hand when entrusted with the care and well being of our birds and that we have the obligation to help them succeed. Don's talk detailed his trials, tribulations and successes in rehabilitating his prairie falcon named Christmas after a significant injury last season. Brian McDonald followed with some very interesting videos and an informative talk giving first hand accounts of discovering peregrines and then later trapping them on Assateague Island during the 30's and 40's.

The banquet Saturday evening took place at the Abilene Expo Center. Kudos and big thanks go to THA Rafflemeister Krys Langevin, the vendors that support THA and our always supportive members for making the raffle a huge success. After a fantastic dinner, THA President John Graham recognized the individuals responsible for helping to make THA one of the most successful state clubs around. Those recognized included Jay Lehmer for his duties as Director at Large, Krys Langevin for his duties as Rafflemeister, Laura Culley as Editor of the OTW, Kylie Taylor for her OTW layout work, Greg Pearson for revamping the THA web site, Pierre Bradshaw for his time manning the weathering yard, Roger Crandall for his continued work as Outreach and Apprentice Coordinator, Cheyne Gurule for supplying and cooking at the 2008 THA Summer Camp, and Michael Beran for leading the now annual Apprentice Workshop. Also recognized were THA members Carlos Madruga, Paul Moore, Danny Pickens, Jim Coody and Chris Godfrey for their efforts on the THA Regulations Technical Advisory Committee. Lastly, THA recognized the Falconry and Raptor Council members John Karger, Steve Oleson, Jim Ince, Bill Satterfield, Matt Reidy and council chair Don Roeber for their time and dedication to the sport of falconry in Texas. The last award for the evening, the THA Apprentice of the Year Award, went to Greg Pearson for his efforts as a falconer, his dedication to the sport of falconry, and his support of THA in redesigning the THA web site.

Following the THA awards was keynote speaker Bill Oakes. Bill is the author of "The Falconer's Apprentice" and owner of EagleWing Publishing. Bill also write the "Beginners' Circle" column in American Falconry magazine. Bill's incredible presentation, titled: "The Future of Falconry: Finding the Future in Our Past" was entertaining, thought provoking, uplifting and challenging. It focused quite a bit on the sponsor/apprentice relationship, emphasizing its importance to our future as falconers and the future of our sport. It definitely made you think and also appreciate what we enjoy as falconers today.

The culmination to a great evening was the THA raffle and auction. Though this year's proceeds were slightly lower than last years, THA still committed a $1,000 to the Peregrine Fund to support the Texas Aplomado Restoration Project.

The 2009 THA Field Meet and Banquet was a huge success. This brings us to the 2010 Annual THA Field Meet and what it means to THA. In 1970, a few people thought it a good idea to form a falconry club, and 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of that happening. Though THA didn't really take shape until 1981 with our first official field meet happening soon there after, our officers would like to celebrate THA's 40th anniversary by making our next meet one to remember. If you would like to play a part in planning and preparing for this joyful occasion, please let your officers know.

Information on other THA Events

Annual Summer Camp
Sky Trials
Mini-Meets