Introduction Eric Edwards

[ericedw]

My name is Eric Edwards, I've been a fixture on falconry internet sites for longer than I'm proud to admit. I've been a falconer since 1992 and fly mostly small peregrines (Barbarys, Shaheens) and passage merlins.

I trained birds professionally for 5 years, setting up bird shows in the US, S. Africa & Australia.

I operate several falconry related websites, www.merlinfalconry.com (http://www.merlinfalconry.com), www.ericedw.com (http://www.ericedw.com) and act as a moderator for a few Yahoo groups.

I am currently the SE Director for NAFA and the Gulf States Director for WRTC as well as the founder of the Florida Falconers' Association.

In addition to a passion for falconry I'm an avid fly fisherman (mostly saltwater, redfishing). I enjoy internet discussion groups and look forward to participating. And you can find my newly created blog at www.ericedw.blogspot.com (http://www.ericedw.blogspot.com)

Eric Edwards

[BestBeagler]

My name is Eric Edwards, I've been a fixture on falconry internet sites for longer than I'm proud to admit. I've been a falconer since 1992 and fly mostly small peregrines (Barbarys, Shaheens) and passage merlins.

I trained birds professionally for 5 years, setting up bird shows in the US, S. Africa & Australia.

I operate several falconry related websites, www.merlinfalconry.com (http://www.merlinfalconry.com), www.ericedw.com (http://www.ericedw.com) and act as a moderator for a few Yahoo groups.

I am currently the SE Director for NAFA and the Gulf States Director for WRTC as well as the founder of the Florida Falconers' Association.

In addition to a passion for falconry I'm an avid fly fisherman (mostly saltwater, redfishing). I enjoy internet discussion groups and look forward to participating. And you can find my newly created blog at www.ericedw.blogspot.com (http://www.ericedw.blogspot.com)

Eric Edwards

You also make really nice hoods. Welcome to the forum. What are you going to fly this year? Isaac

[wesleyc6]

You also make really nice hoods. Welcome to the forum. What are you going to fly this year? Isaac


Yep, feel free to post a link to order hoods in the classified sections. I know many people consider you to be one of the better small hood makers our there.(welc)

[ericedw]

Thanks guys,
I've never wanted to be a commercial hood maker but if anyone ever needs a merlin hood, I've made a few.

I'm planning to fly my intermewed tiercel Red-naped Shaheen on snipe. All I need is a tropical storm to put the water back in my fields. I'll probably trap a merlin or two also.

Eric

[wesleyc6]

Thanks guys,
I've never wanted to be a commercial hood maker but if anyone ever needs a merlin hood, I've made a few.

I'm planning to fly my intermewed tiercel Red-naped Shaheen on snipe. All I need is a tropical storm to put the water back in my fields. I'll probably trap a merlin or two also.

Eric

How did you end up doing with the Shaheen? Got any pictures you care to share here?

[everetkhorton]

Eric:
(welc) to the site. I may just contact you about a small hood this fall some time. Please post some of your work on the site. Got a nice fish spotter giving you a hand.

[bigbaldo]

Hey Eric! Good to see you here. I met you down in the cane fields this past season. Thats actually where my avatar came from. Thats Darrel's gos in the pic.
I'm getting ready for my inspection on Tuesday and I'll finally be done! Spence and Shane have been helping me get everything ready.
Let me know if you want to check out some "snipe honey holes" out here at the house. I live on the St Johns just north of puzzle lake. Last season I saw quite a number of snipe in the area.
John

[Bryant Tarr]

Great to have you here Eric! (welc)

Love your site and have followed it for years.

[Chris L.]

Eric,
Welcometo NAFEX. It is great to have you here. I have been on your Merlin site many times. You have some great information on it.

How did you find NAFEX? It is great to see more and more great falconers coming to NAFEX. I hope you find the info within useful and please don't hesitate to post.

Where do you live in Florida?

I will be asking you a few questions for sure this year on merlins.

again Welcome and it is great to have you here

[MikeT307]

Welcome aboard Eric! Speaking of that, congrats on picking up the boat on your personal site I'll bet it can slip in on some reds.

I was at the 1st annual FFA meet from Tallahassee. Richard M. is my sponsor with his instruction and guidance I had a first season to be proud of. He's planning on trapping a merlin this fall.

It's an honor to have you active here.

[ericedw]

How did you end up doing with the Shaheen? Got any pictures you care to share here?

The weather was not kind to me last year. I've flown snipe for the past few years because I've had access to fantastic snipe fields but the dry weather last winter hurt me bad. He put a few snipe in early but then I couldn't give him enough slips to get him successful. He caught a few doves and other birds, put on a great show a few times out west on quail (they always bailed into cover).
As far as photos http://www.merlinfalconry.com/ericedwfalconry07-08.htm

Eric

[ericedw]

Eric:
(welc) to the site. I may just contact you about a small hood this fall some time. Please post some of your work on the site. Got a nice fish spotter giving you a hand.

He's an even better snipe spotter.

http://www.merlinfalconry.com/images/falconry06-07/MerlinHood(Spence1-07)%20009%20(Medium).jpg

Jack Merlin Hood
http://www.merlinfalconry.com/images/equipment/Hood(JackTooled)7-07_019_Standard_e-mail_view.jpg

[jfneumann57]

Eric do you know a Jerry Hollifield?

[ericedw]

Hey Eric! Good to see you here. I met you down in the cane fields this past season. Thats actually where my avatar came from. Thats Darrel's gos in the pic.
I'm getting ready for my inspection on Tuesday and I'll finally be done! Spence and Shane have been helping me get everything ready.
Let me know if you want to check out some "snipe honey holes" out here at the house. I live on the St Johns just north of puzzle lake. Last season I saw quite a number of snipe in the area.
John

I remember you John, you need to let me know when the Shad are running up there. And I'd be happy to help you out with the snipe infestation.
Eric

[ericedw]

Eric,
How did you find NAFEX? It is great to see more and more great falconers coming to NAFEX. I hope you find the info within useful and please don't hesitate to post.

Where do you live in Florida?

I will be asking you a few questions for sure this year on merlins.

again Welcome and it is great to have you here

I've been invited over several times and finally figured I'd pop in and take a look around.

I'm in Lake Hamilton, FL just south of Orlando. Happy to help with merlins, I've flown a few.
Eric

[ericedw]

Welcome aboard Eric! Speaking of that, congrats on picking up the boat on your personal site I'll bet it can slip in on some reds.
.

OH, let me tell you, that boat has been amazing. It'll float in 5inches with two anglers and is dead quiet. It serves my needs VERY well.

Eric

[ericedw]

Eric do you know a Jerry Hollifield?

The name sounds familiar.

[Chris L.]

I've been invited over several times and finally figured I'd pop in and take a look around.

I'm in Lake Hamilton, FL just south of Orlando. Happy to help with merlins, I've flown a few.
Eric

Glad you made it over....

I will get some feed back from you this year for sure..


good luck this year trapping, take plenty of pics and please dont hesitate to post your pictures here. We all enjoy looking at them

[jfneumann57]

Jerry used to be president of the Florida Hawking Fraternity.

[wesleyc6]

OH, let me tell you, that boat has been amazing. It'll float in 5inches with two anglers and is dead quiet. It serves my needs VERY well.

Eric

I can't wait to get in a boat when in GA on vacation. I know you have been here in my neck of the woods around Lubbock. Water is sort of like Sasquatch. Plenty of people claim to have seen it, but there isn't much proof supporting it. I don't fly, but I do baitcast for largemouth and I am........well hooked on it. Sounds like a nice boat. I bought Bass Buddy a couple of years ago and it was one of the most comfortable rigs to fish out of. I always thought they looked silly, but LOVED mine.

[everetkhorton]

Wes:
Post a picture of your bass buddy so we can all see one.

[ericedw]

Wes:
Post a picture of your bass buddy so we can all see one.

Here's a little bass for ya
http://www.merlinfalconry.com/images/Fishing/bassfeb08.jpg

Eric

[everetkhorton]

Eric:
If that is a little bass, let see a big one!

[jfneumann57]

Eve he's in Florida that's a guppy. lol

[sakerjack]

Nothin Better than a Piece of 'BASS".. Welcome Eric..

[ericedw]

Eric:
If that is a little bass, let see a big one!

I caught that one a few months ago and I admit it's the biggest bass I've caught. But maybe as "fish" go it's little.

http://www.merlinfalconry.com/images/Fishing/4-15-06(Redfish)%20013%20(Medium).jpg

[FredFogg]

Hey Eric, Welcome to the Forum! I got the newsletter today and I must compliment you on what you are doing as a director. Your communication with your members is the best I have experienced and if the rest of NAFA takes note, it will be a much better NAFA.

I am going to the coast again this October to trap a merlin, so might need another hood from you. The last one didn't really fit the female I had, but it might be a perfect fit on this next one. And who knows, I might bring home a jack.

Keep up the great work and glad to have you on here, I know you will be a wealth of information.

Oh yeah, get your buddy's lazy butt on here! (Matt) LOL I know a bunch of kestrel folks that would love to bug the crap out him! LOL

Again, Welcome!

[wesleyc6]

Here's a little bass for ya
http://www.merlinfalconry.com/images/Fishing/bassfeb08.jpg

Eric

Nice fish! I caught a nice 8lber a couple of years ago. I released it and the pond turned over 2 weeks later. It was sad. I have caught a released a ton of bass and never grow tired of it. I want to go to El Salto one year on a cast and blast package. Probably just a pipe dream. My uncle called a couple of weeks ago and then he son emailed me pics of a 12lb bass.

Ev, I sold the boat when I moved. It was cheaper to sell it then try to move it. LOL

[KidK]

Eric,

Welcome to NAFEX! Great to have you on here!(welc)

[jhausman]

Dude! Good to see you here! Man... the gang is all here for sure! You need to try to catch a big fish next time brother. toungeout Hope you are well!
(welc)


Jason

[crazyfalconer]

(welc)
Hey Eric - Hope all is well with you and yours... Nice to see you here... Take care Aj

[Lee Slikkers]

Welcome Eric, great to see you here.