2022-2026 | Okfa

2022 Picnic

2022 ANNUAL PICNIC

Oklahoma Falconers Assoc.

Annual Picnic

Saturday June 4, 2022

Perfect weather, great food and the best gathering of friends one could ask for, was on par for the OFA annual get together!

Our picnic and business meeting was held at The ODWC Education center at Arcadia Lake in Edmond again this year. We can't say how grateful we are to have such a proficient working relationship with our State Officials.

The morning started with Matt Mullenix making a presentation on micro hawking and The Four Fundamentals of Falconry. We appreciate Matt making the drive from his home in Louisiana to share his knowledge!

Thank you to Daniel, who volunteered to whip up a Cajun shrimp boil for our lunch! Like always, the OFA sponsors the food and asks the membership to bring sides or a dessert. Thank you also goes to Phil & Gayla for flying in fresh crayfish to sweeten the pot!

I look forward to our picnic every year. It's chance to mingle with old friends, make some new ones and reminisce about the old days!

We were fortunate to have a great turnout. Most of the membership, many newcomers, Becky from the State Office and several members of The Kansas Hawking Club all helped make our day!

Following our business meeting, our usual annual raffle was a go!!! We can't thank Chris and Jessica enough for all the leg work gathering all the exceptional items! You really outdid yourselves this year! If you see any of the companies, artisans and members that are listed to the right, remember to thank them for their ongoing support. Without them we wouldn't be able to raise the monies to sustain the club.

Another year is in the books friends. I hope the rest of your summer goes well and your birds have a clean molt.

I hope we meet in the fall with bird in hand and game to chase!

Cheers till then!

SQUIRREL BILL HB 1112

Left to right, Rep. Talley’s assistant, Rep. Talley’s wife Carol, Rep. Talley, Robert Huber, the Gov, Corey Jager, Wildlife Leg. Liaison, J.D. Strong, Director Wildlife, Sen. Allen and his wife.

Exciting news happening for squirrel season in Oklahoma! Thanks to the combined efforts of Director Huber, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, local legislature, and others, the first wildlife bill signed into law this year in Oklahoma was focused on Squirrel Season and biology. In years past, the season was not determined by the Dept of Wildlife but rather the legislature. Director Huber explains below,

“The squirrel season was set by statute in Oklahoma most likely back in the 1920s or 1930’s when squirrel was a primary food source for Oklahomans. In order for Oklahoma falconers to request an extended squirrel season we had to request a bill to remove the season dates from statutes. I volunteered to spearhead the process for the Oklahoma Falconers Association and drafted a bill to remove season dates and empower the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife to set season dates based on biology.“

The bill is a wonderful collaborative success for falconers and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.

2022 Apprentice rksop

2022 APPRENTICE WORKSHOP

Saturday July 30, 2022

9am - 5pm

Make plans to be in Edmond, OK. at Arcadia Lake!!!!

The building is located on the south side of Arcadia Lake, called the Arcadia Conservation Education Area. The building itself is the Outdoor Education and Training Center, owned by the ODWC.

Address is 7201 E. 33rd St. Edmond,OK. The easiest way to get there is from I-35, You cannot get there on 33rd St.

On I-35 exit #138D onto Memorial Rd., go east on Memorial 2 miles to Midwest Blvd., go north on Midwest Blvd. 1 mile . We will be indoors in a temperature controlled building most of the time.

Lunch will be provided by The OFA, so please RSVP on our Facebook page. Please bring your favorite beverages.

Some of the topics to be covered:

Steps in becoming a falconer.

Club membership, OFA and NAFA

Preparing to be an apprentice. What is expected of you.

Dedication of time and effort to the lifestyle.

Health and welfare of a raptor.

Equipment overview.

Training your new hunting partner.

Hunting with your new partner.

Just to name a few. We will have several seasoned falconers offering help and insight all day. We will all be donating our time to help you along your journey.

If you get lost.... call Phil @ 580-336-7684.

2022 RIDGE TRAPPING EVENT

GSP Trapping week

September 22-27,2022

Jet, Oklahoma

Mark Runnels has opened his private trapping sites to the club again. If you intend to trap a bird with us, please make plans to bring pigeons. Seats are limited in the blind, we will try to accommodate everyone!

As usual, we have a general repair and clean up weekend. This year it is scheduled for August 27. If you can be there, please let Mark know and bring a few tools...I.E. Shovels, rakes, weed eater, loppers, etc.

Check back for details and dates as we get closer to the fall.

FIRST ANNUAL OSCAR PACK MEMORIAL TRAPPING WEEK

OP Trapping Week

October ? 2022

The Panhandle of Oklahoma

Chris is currently making plans for the first annual Oscar Pack trapping week. It will take place in the panhandle once the weather cools and the birds start to migrate. Check back in when we get closer to that time!