Derrick,
Thanks for sharing the memories of spending time with your uncle. It sounds like you learned quite a bit from him. And, I'm very sorry for your loss. That must've been very tragic to lose him at that age...especially during a hunting trip.
You do have a great advantage, to grow up around falconry and hunting. (Don't beat yourself up about being away from it, you already have a huge head start.) I too grew up doing all kinds of hunting and fishing with my father, but he was never introduced to falconry. I learned so much about the world from him. It's strange how we don't fully appreciate that knowledge until we are adults ourselves.
I lost my Dad a couple years ago, and certainly wish I could've spent more time with him. If he were here now, I'm sure he'd be very interested in falconry, just as I am. I'm know he'd like to learn everything he could about this challenging sport (he really enjoyed training and hunting with bird dogs.)
I too am in Michigan, I live "up North" in Grayling. I grew up near Royal Oak, but my family went "up North" on virtually every weekend and holiday. I love being here, but I'm finding that the falconry resources are mostly near the Detroit area. I guess I can't have it all!
Good luck to you.