 California Hawking Club 2006 Field Meet
Date: 1/2006
By Scott Ford, DVM, DABVP-Av
  In January, 2006, I attended the California Hawking Club's annual field meet in Sacramento, California. I was very impressed with the level of this club's commitment to the advancement of conservation of birds of prey, the preservation of California's hawking history, and the ethical practice of falconry.
Although I am new to the club, I was made to feel very welcome and thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends, learning from others, and, of course, the great demonstrations of skill by falconers and their birds alike. The California Hawking Club was created in the early 1970s and is one of the largest and most active falconry clubs in America. The club organized during a period of increasing regulation and conservation efforts following the recgonized decline of peregrine falcons due to environmental contamination with the pesticide DDT. Falconers were largely responsible for bringing the decline of peregrines to the forefront and for the research into captive breeding, rearing, and release techniques that lead to the dramatic recovery of wild peregrine falcons. To learn more about the recovery of the peregrine, check out the Peregrine Fund's website by clicking here.
 
The annual field meet is open to falconers and non-falconers. Events include speakers (this year, Dr. Nick Fox, world-renown raptor researcher, visited all the way from the UK!), apprentice classes, display of live birds, and competitive events where you can see birds of prey doing what they do best!
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