Hello Garrick. I'm an apprentice falconer, live around an hour drive from you. Your welcome to hook up with me on a hunt sometime if you'd like. GLFA has a couple field meets over the falconry season; that was my first experience in meeting falconers and their awesome raptors. They usually have a meet in Champaign sometime in Feb., I highly recommend that!

Good luck in your pursuit of falconry.