The first Official Field Meet has come and gone already. It just seems a short time ago that we were deep into the summer molt, or starting to think about getting the B.C.s ready to go trapping. Back in the heat of the summer we picked October 25 as a date for our first meet of the season. I tell ya can we pick a date or what. Im sure the same thought was going through your mind as you closed in on our morning meeting place. The lighting was really putting on a show, and the clouds were hanging heavy with rain. Around the time we normally get started the clouds let loose. No one was in a big hurry to get out that morning, but the rain did let up so out everyone went. As always Rob Lyttles pick for rabbit fields were right on. There was no shortage of cottontail slips. The rain was light but never really quit, and some of the birds werent very happy. I dont blame them, it was miserable to say the least. All in all, every one got to fly. It was visible how dedicated or maybe a little off the deep end falconers are. Its great to know what we will do to fly our birds.
In attendance were Bob Dale and his son Zack from the southern part of the state, Zack was interested in getting started in falconry and was able to get a sponsor before the end of the day. Also in attendance was Ezekiel Young from St Clair, he also wants to get in to falconry. It was a good day to see just how dedicated you need to be to do what we do. Bob Payne flew his Redtail Schmo first. Fresh off the molt and heavy but did catch a bunny after the group left them alone. We are still not sure if Schmo caught it or Bob stepped on it! Next a few Harris Hawks came out and chased, caught, or just watched the rabbits run by. Up next were Jason Smyth and his 1X inter-mewed RedTail. After a few stoops his bird did catch a rabbit. (Pictures dont lie), but his bag was empty! Chris !! Coursen took out his freshly trapped passage RedTail and gave it its first free hunt and it preformed very well and took its first rabbit that day. Chris !! has a very impressive light colored hawk
After a short lunch break we meet up with Eddie and Karen Morgan who were flying their cast of Harris Hawks. Bob May and Norma Jean added their Harris to the cast so at one time there were 6 Harris flying at once. Except for a little personality conflict between some of the hawks, it was a sight to see so many hawks in the same area chasing rabbits. Next up I took out my 1X inter-mewed Red Tail. The field had been walked over a few times so it was hard to find any bunnies but we did and my hawk connected. By now it was close to dark so a group of people went off to a different field to fly Tony Taylors Harris/Ferruginous cross. From what I heard it did some good flights but never connected. It is always great to hunt from morning till dark. So that ended the days hunt. We didnt get to see Rob Lyttle fly his monster Goshawk, Rob went home early to feed her. From what I hear his Goshawk is now up and catchingand catching.. So hopes are high that she will be catching those big jacks soon. A few people did go out on Sunday to hunt. Bob and Jason both caught game that day.
Even with the rain we had an attendance of around 30 people with around half as many hawks. Later that evening we met for dinner to end the day Now its time to start to think about the next meet. The date has been set for January 10-11 in St Louis, Keith Thompson will host it so mark your calendar.
Good Hawkin,
Mike Mallet
