We are pleased to welcome as our Guest Speaker, internationally acclaimed bird sculptor, master falconer, and author. He will be presenting a slideshow of his sculptures, some hands on viewing, and discussing the ways in which his art is informed by falconry.
Al's sculptures
RED ADDITUDE 
YARAK 
About Al
Al has been studying and enjoying birds his entire life. While growing up. he spent many hours with his father watching birds at local Audubon facilities and many hawk migration points including Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania, the south shore of Lake Erie in New York, and Hawk Cliff in Ontario, Canada.
Al briefly wandered away from birds to pursue a career in the art of cooking, graduating from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 1983. During his stint at the CIA, he managed to return to nature spending a year as a chef for a research team in Antartica. While working in the food service industry, he began his career in bird sculpture. Al's first creation, a Bufflehead decoy, won every competition it entered. It was then that his love for the art form exploded. Subsequent successes enabled him to retire from the Chef world in 2006 to pursue his love of bird sculpture fulltime.
In 2004, after spending many hours working in a raptor banding station, Al dove into the world of Falconry. He has since attained the acclaimed status of Master Falconer and is recognized as one of the most successful falconers on the east coast. As a result, Al is viewed as one of the country's leading experts in raptors. That said, he maintains an interest and ability to capture all orders of birds in his lifelike sculptures. Hawks, owls, shorebirds, and songbirds have all been subjects of his highly sought after pieces.
Field Meet Details
Our annual field meet will be held in Oneonta NY this year, at the Quality Inn located at 5206 State Highway 23 Oneonta NY 13820. A block of rooms has been reserved for our event at the special price of $79 per night.
Call them today to reserve yourself a room. (607) 433-2250
2021 Field Meet Schedule
Friday
- 12pm - Registraion & weathering yard open
- 12pm - Sunset – HUNTING
- 5 pm - Weathering Yard Closed
- 5 pm - Fundamentals of Falconry, 101: Perfect for interested beginners, great way to meet new people
- 6 pm Pizza Party! Great way to meet new folks and greet old friends
Saturday
- 7 am – Weathering Yard Open
- 7 am - Various hunting groups coordinated privately, or via forum or FB
- 10 am - Coping class: Learn to do beaks and talons
- 12 pm - Lunch hour
- 2 pm – Raptor equipment Basics (anklets, jesses, leashes, etc.)
- 4 pm -Weathering yard Closed
- 4:30 pm - Membership Meeting (fully dues paid members only)
- 6 pm - Banquet, guest speaker and auction