Hello from Missouri (Joseph)

[jdiveley]

Good day all,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am Joseph and live in south central Missouri in the middle of the Mark Twain national forest. There has always been a fascination with Birds of Prey and on the way back from visiting my girlfriend’s new grand baby down in southern Florida, we stopped in Chattanooga TN at Rock City. While we were there we watched a presentation about BOP which again piqued my interest. From there I have been reading and studying anything and everything I can find on the subject. This forum is a wonderful asset.

A few weeks ago I stopped into my vet office to get some frontline for my cats and spoke to the vet concerning his experience with avian medicine, which was minimal. After talking for a bit about my plans he gave me the number of a local master falconer, who is now my sponsor.

Last Friday I went to the local Conservation Officer and took my test. Today I got a call from the State coordinator (Julie) who told me that I scored a 94%. Officer Mills was great and has expressed interest in going hunting with me once I have my bird.

So now I have a sponsor, have passed my test, have my mews nearly completed, trap built and the rest of the furniture will be forthcoming. Now I just have to finish everything and get my inspection so that I can get my permits.

[cnoel08]

Wow, you are off to a great start! Welcome to nafex!

[samatney]

That makes two of us, just waiting on my Inspection. Julie Love is great to deal with. Are you going to the MFA meet?

[jdiveley]

Thanks for the welcome.

I do plan on attending the MFA meet in Sept. Where abouts in MO are you at?

[samatney]

Kansas city area.

[FredFogg]

to NAFEX! And to the wacky world of falconry! We love pictures, so how about a few of your newly built mew?

[everetkhorton]

Joseph! Now the fun begins

[Cory Martin]

Welcome to the forums, and Congrats to both of you on making it this far. I hope your first birds turn out great.

[jdiveley]

Inspection:

Permit in hand:

Trapping Season arrives:

Bird on trap:

[FredFogg]

Inspection:

Permit in hand:

Trapping Season arrives:

Bird on trap:

But still no pictures of your facilities?

[jdiveley]

But still no pictures of your facilities?

From the East.


From the South West.


Inside South West corner.


Inside North and West walls.

Just a few more finishing touches for some aesthetics.

[jdiveley]

Ok so I'm all set with the sponsor to go trapping this weekend. 10-11 Oct. I try to get hold of my sponsor earlier this week to confirm. When I finally reach him I hear the news that his father has passed away and he is in California until next week. My prayers go out to Bob and his family.

Today while at work I find out that I will be traveling (flying) to San Antonio from the 19th through the 23rd of Oct, which will put me off being able to trap until the 24th at the earliest.

Since I will be out of my training at 4:30 everyday, I was wondering if there were any falconers near SA that would want to meet up.

If so please send me a PM.

[jdiveley]

As of about 15 mins ago I received word that I will NOT be going to SA for training. lol so Trapping should be back on for the weekend of the 17th

[FredFogg]

As of about 15 mins ago I received word that I will NOT be going to SA for training. lol so Trapping should be back on for the weekend of the 17th

Trapping is way more important than work training! LOL

[jdiveley]

Trapping is way more important than work training! LOL

I totally agree. I almost turned down the training. Now I don't have to.

[Cory Martin]

just remember...you will almost always contract the "Avian Flu" after your successful trapping

[jake1977]

congrats and good luck

[kurt]

Congrats on having everything in order. If you can't find birds out by you you're more than welcome to come trapping up by St Louis. There's a couple of passage females that harass the hell out of my Gos in a couple fields I fly. Otherwise by Lambert airport is always good trapping. Have fun. Kurt

[jdiveley]

just remember...you will almost always contract the "Avian Flu" after your successful trapping

Indeed. I have already informed my supervisor that the week after I trap, I will not be at work.

[jdiveley]

Congrats on having everything in order. If you can't find birds out by you you're more than welcome to come trapping up by St Louis. There's a couple of passage females that harass the hell out of my Gos in a couple fields I fly. Otherwise by Lambert airport is always good trapping. Have fun. Kurt

Thanks Kurt,

I believe we will be heading East down 60 then making the loop back via 55 and 44, so we will end up that way eventually.