Being as we have mutual friends in both falconry and the music business, I was very happy that our guest for this episode, Jen Keenan, agreed to join me remotely back in December and share her story so far. Jen is still very new in falconry, and is still learning a lot, and has had some very early challenges in her falconry career. In this episode, you'll get to hear more about her discovering falconry by hiring a falconer to do bird abatement for their vineyard, then deciding to get into it herself after her battle with cancer, the challenges of maintaining her falconry with all the businesses she runs and being married to a touring musician, and other things. This episode is proof that even though some might not have a ton of experience yet, everyone can learn a little something from everyone's experiences, so you won't want to miss it!

In August of 2024, I got another captive-bred Harris's hawk from this episode's guest, Austin Moates. While at his house, we spent the afternoon talking about his background hunting cottontails and squirrels with red-tailed hawks and Harris's hawks, some of his mentors in getting started with his breeding project, standards in falconry, his time serving in Tennessee's state falconry club, and more! He was also kind enough to take part in the Falconry Follies series, and that episode is now available to those who signed up previously for the Extras membership.

This was the last episode recorded in July of 2024 in Reno, NV, and it's another unique one! Martin Stiasny is originally from around Prague, in what is now Czechia. In this episode, he talks some about getting started in falconry around that area, what he had to go through in his journey to move to the United States, and what it was like learning raptor propagation from Dave Jamieson. There's other things discussed in this episode as well, but you'll just have to listen to hear the rest!

This episode is one of the last couple that were recorded July of 2024 in Reno, NV, and features James Tigan. James was a practicing falconer for 32 years, and while he was able to pursue falconry, he also founded the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center, as well as other falconry businesses, including Tactical Avian Predators and Raptor Adventures. For more info on these, head to raptoradventures.com. Enjoy!

Along with recording the episodes you just recently heard while at Ian Anderson's last July, there were also more episodes recorded while in Reno the same month. While meeting up and recording at Dave Jamieson's place, I was also able to record a few others, including Mark Moglich. Mark discussed his experiences over the years with breeding, his passion for flying goshawks, gyrfalcons, and another rarely flown species that you'll just have to listen to hear more about! Special thanks again to friend Vahe Alaverdian for helping to make these recordings happen!

The last episode recorded while at Ian Anderson's place in Iowa features Minnesota resident Joe Hance. This was a very fun and animated conversation, in which we talk about hawking cottontails with a cast of Harris's hawks, some of his short prior experiences hunting with red-tailed hawks and goshawks, and getting Joe's take on different aspects and outlooks on falconry. Just a heads up, this is also another episode with some colorful language in it, but this fun and energetic conversation will be one that is sure to be enjoyed!

After getting to Ian Anderson's place last July, Tyler was one of the falconers who made the trip also that weekend to meet, and while there, he discussed his background in different aspects of dog training, hunting with Harris's hawks over his beagles, and some of the challenges in hunting where he's located. It was good getting a chance to talk falconry and dogs with someone else who has another breed preference, so there's some good stuff in here if hawking with dogs interests you!

While at Lance Christensen's, I was also able to get a recording in with accomplished falconer and veterinarian Ross Dirks. I'm glad he was there helping Lance to prep birds for shipping to their new owners, because this conversation was a blast to have! We talked about some of his different experiences as a veterinarian, flying falcons and goshawks, and lots of other great stuff before I headed back down to record more with Ian Anderson and other friends last July. It was another whirlwind weekend, but so glad I did it so I could share these conversations with you all! Enjoy!

After getting a lure machine from Jeremiah, we started talking more back and forth about falconry, dachshunds, bowfishing, and other good stuff. Those conversations led to being able to meet up with him at a dachshund field trial close to where he lives in Pennsylvania, and while there, I managed to get my equipment set up outside long enough to record an episode and pick up where we left off! Overall, it turned out pretty well for a little bit of wind blowing, beagles barking in the background, and other audio challenges, but I hope you enjoy regardless! If you're interested in going on a bowfishing trip, picking up a lure machine yourself, or want some cool merch from Jeremiah, head to boondockoutdoors.myshopify.com!

During some downtime in between events at the Archives of Falconry 2024 Spring Rendezvous, Heath took some time to have another nice, long conversation about his time serving as Vice President of NAFA, flying accipiters, and learning what to listen to and not listen to when it comes to advice and perceptions in falconry, amongst other things. This is another nice-sized episode with a lot of good information, so come hang with us!