2012 NAFA Meet in Kearney, NE

[FredFogg]

Fred, I'm just teasing. It's my job to make fun of Harris' hawks whenever the opportunity presents itself. I actually don't recall hearing a peep out of your bird while we were there. I just can't help myself. Come on though... don't you think they sound like they're retching?

Hey, by the way... do you know why people fly them in groups?
Because it takes more than one to get the job done!
:Dtoungeout:D

Good hanging with you in Kearney.
See you soon!

That's ok Scott! The next time you see her, she will be a killing machine! LOL Hope to hang out more with you and Paul the next time, it was fun.

[FredFogg]

Ok, I have to say this crew below was just fantastic. I came home with as Scott calls it "a raspy Harris Hawk voice" from laughing so much. When we weren't chasing bunnies and catching them I might add, we were having fun just goofing off and these guys were great to hunt with. We all got in there and moved the bunnies and every bird had multiple slips and caught stuff. And I think each of us took a turn at falling down at some point and all the rest were right there to not only help each other up but also make fun of them. I can only hope the next meet I go to will be as fun as this last one was.

Oh yeah, I would have to say that the word of the week was.......turkey neck! :D

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/FredrickFogg/DSCF6533.jpg

[harrishawker21]

Amen Fred. I've never laughed so hard while hawking ever. Oh yea and to go along with turkey neck...Come on Sheeba!

[mainefalconer]

I'm just teasing guys. HH's are great birds, and there's certainly a place for them in our sport. (just not in my mews!) :D

I just can't stop myself.......

Seriously though, I don't have a problem with folks flying them, I just have to joke about it. I swore an oath! Taking jabs at Harris' hawks is a pre-requisite for getting a falconry license in Maine. We have a long-standing tradition of it.

And get this.... For the first time in the history of Maine falconry, we have a member flying a Harris' hawk this year! What's the world coming to?!

[Goshawk635]

I'm just teasing guys.

And get this.... For the first time in the history of Maine falconry, we have a member flying a Harris' hawk this year! What's the world coming to?!

Must be global warming.

[frootdog]

I'm just teasing guys. HH's are great birds, and there's certainly a place for them in our sport. (just not in my mews!) :D



Says the man with a HH on the fist!

[FredFogg]

Says the man with a HH on the fist!

Ahh ha, now the truth comes out! Scott doesn't like HH's because he couldn't handle the one he had. Such vicious raptors, they are! LOL toungeout :D

[Lowachi]

Says the man with a HH on the fist!

nuthing worse than a convert!!!!toungeout

[Bryant Tarr]

http://www.nafex.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1603&stc=1&d=1354126917

Kind of begs for a caption, doesn't it???

"...you see, if this were a REAL hawk it wouldn't be croaking like a frog...."

[frootdog]

http://www.nafex.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1603&stc=1&d=1354126917

Kind of begs for a caption, doesn't it???

"...you see, if this were a REAL hawk it wouldn't be croaking like a frog...."

Or "Look at me! I trained my hawk to mantle over NOTHING!"

[Dirthawking]

It was great to catch up with everybody again! Falconers truely are a second family!

There are not enough thanks to go around to everybody that helped us out in/around the yard. It is a humbling thing to have so many trust us with their birds.

David, the coffee and pastries were greatly appreciated!!!! Big thumbs up to the guy that helped keep us warm and awake!

[mainefalconer]

Bryant, GREAT caption!! I can tell you've spent time in Maine! clapp

Yeah, Jay Tuttle and Darren Lemieux and I trained piles of Harris' Hawks together (and I even enjoyed a couple of them). It's true. In fact, I've probably flown more HH's than any other species of hawk or falcon, which only helped to further cement the disdain for them in my brain. :D

Again,... I'm only teasing here. In the right hands, they're great hawks. And in the wild, they're fantastic. Very cool birds. Extremely interesting from an evolutionary standpoint. I'm just finished with them, and being a goofball. I've gotta make jokes about something. If you guys don't let me rip on Harris' hawks, who knows what I'll start laying into?!!

[Dirthawking]

If you guys don't let me rip on Harris' hawks, who knows what I'll start laying into?!!


Oh we know the answer to that one!
:D
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/dirthawking/NAFA%202012%20cell%20phone%20pictures/2012-11-22_09-59-48_369.jpg

[NMHighPlains]

http://www.nafex.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1603&stc=1&d=1354126917

Kind of begs for a caption, doesn't it???


"Honestly, I don't know HOW this croaky frog bird got here. I just put out my fist and there it was."

"It turns back into a goshawk on Monday."

"This? This hawk? Are you talking to ME?"

[Red-tail71]

We all have our moments of weakness.....Madonna naked in Playboy...Bill Clinton and Monica Luenski ....Scott McNeff with a Mexican crow on his fist. Lmao!toungeout

[ukroper]

Hi all would like to thankyou all for making my dad Dave and uncle Andy from the uk welcome they really enjoyed ther selfs and had a fantastic time

I have seen photos of some that he has taken and I think of I can get I will come and see what you lot get up to next year

thankyou again
Atb wayne


Give them my regards Wayne,..was a pleasure to meet them...Gonna hook you all up with a cheaper way of doing the trip next year...Gazpeacee

[colelkhunter]

Oh we know the answer to that one!
:D
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/dirthawking/NAFA%202012%20cell%20phone%20pictures/2012-11-22_09-59-48_369.jpg


Scott your Pony looks sick! And poorly shod for concrete. Better put him down:D

[COMEAUX]

Here's a few shots

[Tasha55403]

Chris Price's perlin


https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/73262_514969365188275_1512541836_n.jpg



https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417050_514969171854961_1948984773_n.jpg

Heath Garner's (Arkyhawker) passage peregrine

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/75933_515347058483839_1405457952_n.jpg

Heath's passage peregrine on a duck slip (they got away, but it was still great to see!)
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/45273_515346898483855_1044818139_n.jpg

Heath's hybrid (yes, he really is upside down:D)

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/59041_515347001817178_1787528005_n.jpg

Chris Comeaux (Mewskeeper) and Oddsod

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/73054_515344285150783_1454660136_n.jpg

Oddsod

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/556114_515343958484149_103091200_n.jpg

[Tasha55403]

Michael Beran's Ryuka

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/574554_514970045188207_1564650609_n.jpg

Michael's new male, Xzin

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/20426_514970431854835_358319145_n.jpg

This one DID end up in the bag :)
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1111_514970475188164_1210426405_n.jpg

So did this one, although this bird obviously missed it-man, what a faceplant!!! That hadta hurt!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/600228_514970195188192_2141456274_n.jpg

[FredFogg]

Great pics as always Tasha! clapp

[Red-tail71]

Beautiful work Tasha! Simply BEAUTIFUL! clapp

[calebstroh]

Nice!

[Tasha55403]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed them :)

[Heatherg]

Had a great time again at the meet!!! Thanks to Krys and Michael Beran for a great time out hawking!!! I havent laughed like that while out hawking in a long long time!!! So nice to have such a great group of birds to fly together.
Thanks to Chris L for another great nafex dinner....was fun yet again :)
A huge thanks to Chris C.....for another OUTSTANDING COONASS SHRIMP BOIL!!!!! WAY too much fun as always!!!!!
Thanks to ALL the weathering yard folks....for the first time this year I actually had to put a bird out there. Ya'll do a thankless job and deal with more than most could ever dream!! Thank you for being so helpful to a "newbie" I greatly appreciate it.
To all the nafex folks that I got to meet for the first time....it was great to meet you and im just sorry I didnt have a chance to talk to ya'll more!! Looking forward to seeing everyone again....hopefully it will be out hunting somewhere!
To the ROWDY BUNCH that inhabited the "red room" most of the evenings :):)(you know who you are!!!!)....Ya'll are the best family anyone could ever have!!! I have never laughed so much or had a better time at any one meet! miss ya'll!!!!!!!
Got some big things coming down the pike, and may be looking at some different sceanery....and maybe some new neighbors :):):) Cant wait to see how this all shakes out.

[Dakota]

Yes Heather, what a meet, my first from around 1987 or so. I am the guy who toted two munchins around, someday they will be flying there birds at a nafa meet years from now. They needed to see I was not the only crazy guy that flew hawks. I must admit I fell in love with all the female falconers, wow were were the thirty years ago? Good to see old friend, Rick Sharpe, Pete Widner, and of coures Chris Comeaux, I remember in the distant past hawking Harris Hawks in a canal near his home with Cotten Mouths and I am sure I saw an Alligator. Glad to meet new folks, Chris Linn, your a cool dude! Heath from Arkansas, with that Tundra wow, when she flew off, I was said should we start tracking her? You said "no I trust her", sure enough she was back. Impressive bird, with a great story! My only regret is I lost my Jerkin before the meet, but we had time to watch others. Aren't we all lucky, to have such a passion?

[ukroper]

Hey yall..:D...

Thought i would like to mention the amazing chilli provided by Brandi & Mario..absoulutely superb!!!!...haillhaill....Got to be destined to become a NAFA tradition,surely!!!...

I will chuck in $20 towards ingredients every year to make sure this happens again...peacee

......................GOOD JOB YOU GUYS............



AND THANKS TO EVEYONE,OLD FRIENDS AND NEW!!...WHO HELPED MAKE THIS A SPECIAL MEET........

[Eagle Owl]

Thanks, Gaz! I have been making chili on Thanksgiving Day for 5 years now. We are planning on having it large scale next year, though. Chris Comeaux said we can borrow his pots and cooker on Thursday for the chili, so next year plan on having lunch at the weathering yard on Wednesday and Thursday!

[Dirthawking]

And possibly Friday if there is enough left overs!

[Dirthawking]

Got to be destined to become a NAFA tradition,surely!!!...

I will chuck in $20 towards ingredients every year to make sure this happens again...peacee



Now you will need to find a second non age appropriate apron for the chili cooking!

[ukroper]

Now you will need to find a second non age appropriate apron for the chili cooking!

Now, heres 'the thing',..Comeaux supplied the coonass apron......

Heres ya mission,if yall choose to accept it...you get me one for the chilli..& i will wear it...thumbsupp

What ya thinking??...:D




p.s.
I know Brandys mind a little,so this apron aint gonna have nothing to do with an aggie shagging a 'horn...right!!!toungeout..
apart from that..anything goes:eek:.......

[Dirthawking]

Now, heres 'the thing',..Comeaux supplied the coonass apron......

Heres ya mission,if yall choose to accept it...you get me one for the chilli..& i will wear it...thumbsupp

What ya thinking??...:D




p.s.
I know Brandys mind a little,so this apron aint gonna have nothing to do with an aggie shagging a 'horn...right!!!toungeout..
apart from that..anything goes:eek:.......

Sounds like a dare to me!

[ukroper]

XXXXXX

[Lowachi]

long as it doesn't say "dog poop bags" on it, fine!