New NAFEX Member-Minnesota

[bohlander]

Actually, I'm back on NAFEX after a several year hiatus. I've been a falconer for 50 years and have actively hawked for all but one of those years. My main interest is passage goshawks, but I've also flown a number of imprint goshawks as well as many other types of raptors. I'm currently flying a once inter-mewed passage female gos I trapped in October 2013. She's average in size and flys at 930-950 grams. I just ended my sixth season flying Eva, a sixth season female gos I bred in my "backyard" project in 2009. Both birds are successful game hawks and have successfully caught ducks, rabbits and pheasant in that order in terms of quantity. I also enjoy "orchestrating" flights at pheasant with the passage gos and a Brittany (when we can find pheasants here in Minnesota).
Ben Ohlander

[FredFogg]

Welcome back Ben, we can't have too many goshawkers on here in my opinion! Post some pics of your birds!

[bohlander]

Don't appear to have permissions needed to post pictures at this time.
Ben Ohlander

[Ross]

Welcome Ben, I am looking forward to hawking with you- It's coming up fast. Be great to have someone of your experience commenting on here.

[oobie]

Hey Ben. Photo bucket is handy for posting photos.

[bohlander]

I also looking forward to learning new skills as applied to keeping and hunting goshawks...my favorite subject.
Ben Ohlander

[bohlander]

I'll take a look at the site. Thanks.
Ben

[JRedig]

Hi from MT, Ben. Welcome back!! Hope you're having more favorable hawking weather than we have had...60 degrees isn't exactly great for goshawking!

[bohlander]

Good to hear from you, Jeff. For me, pheasants & bunnies have been scarce. Passage gos has caught ducks, bunnies & pheasant. Eva, ducks & bunnies this season. Hope all is well in Montana!
Ben

[ukroper]

(welc)Nice to 'see' ya again Ben !!:D

[Tasha55403]

Hey Ben! Good to hear from you! Hope the meet is going good, wish I coulda been there:)

[Dennis Samnee]

Hi Ben,
Used to talk to you on hawk list yrs ago I believe.Wish I could trap goshawks here in mid east mo.Thats why I'm learning to breed my own too.
Good to see you back
Dennis

[bohlander]

Photos are interesting. Not sure when & where. Good to hear from you all.
Ben

[bohlander]

Hey Ben! Good to hear from you! Hope the meet is going good, wish I coulda been there:)

Tasha,Good to hear from you! Hope all is well. Your article in American Falconry was pretty cool!
Ben

[ukroper]

Major meet,Worthington..:D

[Tasha55403]

Thanks Ben! :) That was at the Islands, btw :) A little patch I'd never tried before that. And never after, either, lol. Not quite as exciting as Kellner's redtail pulling one out of hole, but it got my heart pumping just the same :)