Summer Picnic
July 13, 2010 by Larry · Leave a Comment
The IFA would like to welcome all Iowa falconers to the summer picnic to be held August, 28th in Van Meter, IA at Trindle Park. We’ll be firing up the grill at 12:00 noon. Paid members will be provided meat by the IFA. Feel free to bring your new birds. An update on the Iowa falconry regulations will be given and the 2010/2011 major field meet date and location will be decided.
To pay your dues please contact Larry Hayes
We hope to see you there.
Meet Update
December 28, 2009 by Larry · 1 Comment
We have blocked off 10 rooms at the Budget Host Inn for Saturday night January 30th. The price per night is $59.95 plus tax. I spoke with the manager of the hotel Fred and he agreed to wave the $5 charge for pets in the room. He asked that we call at least a week in advance to book the rooms. The hotel has an adjoined steak house restaurant that I was told by several locals was very good.
Buddget Host Inn.
116 Kenyon Road
Fort Dodge, IA 50501-5711
(515) 955-8501
2010 Meet
December 4, 2009 by Larry · 5 Comments
It’s been officially decided that our major meet will be held in Fort Dodge the weekend of January 30th and 31st. We have set a weather related backup date for the following weekend of February 6th and 7th.
Hotel information to follow.
Maps for Picnic & Picture of Pavilion
May 24, 2009 by Larry · Leave a Comment
Picnic
May 19, 2009 by Larry · Leave a Comment
Tentative Picnic scheduled July 12th
Rock Creek State Park. It’s near Newton
More information to follow
Iowa Falconers Stage Winter Field Meet - Article
February 16, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
This article was published originally by the Iowa DNR and you can view their website here. The article’s author, Lowell Washburn is a DNR staff writer and a member of the IFA.
Iowa Falconers Stage Winter Field Meet - Run Rabbit Run
by Lowell Washburn
Posted: February 10, 2009 
SPIRIT LAKE - The scene was enough to send shivers down the fur of even the most predator-savvy cottontail. Hawks, humans, and hounds — all working together in a combined effort to collect the main ingredient of a rabbit stew. The eminent danger was enough to send sensible bunnies scurrying for their burrows, which is exactly what the majority of them did.
Although the unlikely coalition of hunters may have appeared a bit bizarre to most folks, there was an easy explanation for it all. The members of this rather unique hunting party were all participants in the annual Winter Hawking Meet of the Iowa Falconer’s Association. Staged in northern Iowa’s Dickenson County, the three day event was conducted against a mixed backdrop of farm groves, fence lines, and public wildlife areas.
“For many falconers, the winter meet marks the high point of the entire hunting season,” says IFA President, Tom Deckert. “The hunt gives falconers an opportunity to spend time in the field while observing the hunting tactics and flight styles of various species of raptors. Even within the same species, individual birds seem to adapt their own hunting strategy and every flight is unique.”
A long time master falconer and professional Davenport firefighter, Deckert is currently flying a young-of-the-year Siberian goshawk — the first of its kind ever used for falconry in Iowa. After wowing the crowd with its fearless nature and powerful flight style, the young bird conducted a couple of near misses before successfully bagging “two head of game” amongst the dense tangles of a public hunting area. 
“Although the number of contemporary falconers is very small when compared with other groups of hunters [less than 50 falconers are licensed in Iowa], we had a strong turnout for this year’s winter meet,” noted field meet coordinator, Ross Dirks of Spirit Lake. “Participants flew just about everything there is from goshawks to gyrfalcons — peregrines to red-tails. We also had a number of interested nonfalconers attend the outing. Overall, I think everyone was very pleased with the event.”
“The weather was great and rabbits were plentiful,” Dirks added. “Everyone had an opportunity to see some really spectacular flights. In most cases, predators [hawks] and prey [rabbits] are very evenly matched, and once the hawk is turned loose you never really know what’s going to happen. Although a number of cottontails were successfully brought to bag, most rabbits managed to escape which is exactly the way it works in nature.”
“It can be hard to explain to people who haven’t seen it, but hunting wild game with trained hawks or falcons is simply an incredible experience,” says Deckert. “Falconry is one of the world’s most ancient hunting techniques and the sport has changed very little during the past four thousand years. Basically, the hawks just do what they do every single day in the wild, which is to hunt for their food. The big difference is that trained raptors let you tag along and become part of that hunt. Falconry requires extreme dedication, but over time you begin to develop a real bond with your bird. It’s a high octane pastime and the hawk can fly away any time it chooses. That can make things a bit scary at times, but it’s worth it. When you’re out with your bird, every hunt becomes an adventure.”
FEBRUARY MEET
December 31, 2008 by Larry · Leave a Comment
February 6th & 7th. Arnolds Park, Iowa.
Hotel:
4 Seasons
333 Okoboji Grove Rd, Arnolds Park, IA
712-332-2103
$55.oo a night
4 Seasons
333 Okoboji Grove Rd, Arnolds Park, IA
712-332-2103
$55.oo a night
MEET CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
December 19, 2008 by Larry · Leave a Comment
Meet canceled due to weather for those still wanting to brave the conditions please see the meet forum.
Thank You
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ MEET UPDATE
December 17, 2008 by Larry · Leave a Comment
Please be aware that due to the report of severe weather moving through the area a possible cancelation of this months meet maybe necessary. Tom informs me that we will have a definate answer by Thursday night. Please keep you eyes on the website for further information.
Thanks
December Meet update
November 20, 2008 by Larry · 1 Comment
