The Virginia Falconers’ Association holds three events at the same time each year: Summer Picnic; Harrisonburg Field Meet; Winchester Field Meet. Non-members and their families that attend the Field Meets will be treated to a “Hawk Talk” and flight demo, but must be invited by a regular or associate member to accompany groups in the field. Unfortunately, our groups have become unmanageable at Field Meets, making our generous landowners unhappy with granting permissions for hunting parties of 40 or more. The Picnic, however, is open to all guests, but it is a good idea to contact a member prior to attending. Watch for specific details about these events loaded onto the Upcoming Events page as plans become formalized.
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The Picnic is a social and fundraising event held on the third Saturday of August. Location is to be determined.
The Picnic is a time for us to show off new birds, get advice from our peers, meet new people, link apprentice wanna-be’s to potential sponsors, catch up on news happening over the long moult-summer, and raise funds for club activities. We hold an art show including judging, compete against each other for specific awards including Best Bird, share a meal to which we all contribute, and auction off donated falconry-related items to support (primarily) our annual journal and other community outreach and environmental conservation needs. The Harrisonburg Meet is held on the third weekend of January, and includes a public Q&A/Hawk Talk and flight demo, while members and invited guests only form hunting parties. Saturday is the primary day, and includes: group photo in the early AM; Public Hawk Talk & Flight Demo; Members dividing up for morning hunting parties; individual lunch along the way; and afternoon hunting parties. A dutch-treat group dinner for Regular & Associate Members and their invited guests highlights the best flights of the day, and game pins are awarded to those handlers whose birds catch prey at the meet. For the schedule and news about upcoming events please go to our Upcoming Events page! The Winchester Meet is a repeat of what happens at Harrisonburg, but is held on the third weekend of February each year. |
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