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officers "at" texashawking.org
(please use the @ sign where you see "at")
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John Graham, Board President (Con't)
president "at" texashawking.org

After years of obstacles where I lacked the time and resources to engage my pursuits, that seed finally germinated. I realized my obsession in the fall of 1999 when I received my apprentice permits. Soon thereafter, in January of 2000, I joined the Texas Hawking Association. I flew a redtail hawk in each of my two apprentice years, then as a first year general falconer, I trapped and flew a tiercel Harris’ hawk. I went onto to train my first falcon my fourth year as a falconer, a tiercel Gyr/Peregrine falcon which was also my first imprint. Since that time, I have also have flown three Peregrine falcons that friends have loaned or given to me over the last few years. Currently, I am flying my second imprint falcon a Gyr/Prairie falcon going on her fifth season with me hawking ducks.

In time, I became more active in the running of our club. I first volunteered as THA Summer Picnic Coordinator in 2003, a position I have held these last five years. The following year I, along with Sheldon Nicolle, volunteered to lead the THA Land Acquisition committee for the Annual 2004 Winter Field Meet. Sheldon and I took a dozen or more scouting trips to Abilene seeking permission from landowners for THA members to fly their birds. Since 2004, I have also assisted Sky Trial Coordinator, Roger Crandall, in securing suitable locations to hold THA’s annual sky trials competition. Then, in 2005, I was elected Northern Director, the position whose role and duties I have been the most proud of and honored to serve.

As Northern Director I’ve been privileged to work with many tireless and dedicated individuals. During the spring of 2007, along with members of the Texas Falconry Raptor Council (formerly the Falconry Advisory Board or FAB), I worked on seeking a reprieve or amendment to HB 2414 that would have made trapping along the Texas roadways illegal. Along with our President, Steve Oleson, and Vice President, Sheldon Nicolle, I attended the Texas House on Cultural, Recreation, and Tourism Sub-Committee meeting to give expert testimony if asked. The exposure and experience I received while assisting with achieving an amendment to the bill was priceless. Steve Oleson’s commitment and expertise ensured falconers were granted an exception to the law. He needs to be commended.

As President of THA, I look forward to the challenges and excitement that this next step in my falconry career may hold. I will do my best to serve the members of THA while continuing the high standards and expectations that Steve Oleson brought to this position. THA will continually face new issues. As our club and its membership continue to grow, the current challenges include seeking our non-profit 501(c) status, the diminishing role of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its involvement in our sport of falconry, nurturing our relationship with the State that will be that much more important, the upcoming passage peregrine take, while keeping THA one of the strongest and best falconry clubs in our wonderful country.