Page 22 - Jan/Feb 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

ing license in addition to the falconry license. And her two veteran Harris’ hawks, Nova and Tirzah, to the
license revenues are a large funding resource for the fish meet. But she didn’t bring her husband of nearly 50 years.
and wildlife conservation activities of the Oklahoma “He’s home taking care of the others birds — and the

Wildlife Department. dogs, and all the mice I raise,” she quipped, citing the
The annual NAFA field meet draws people from across many responsibilities and time commitments required
the nation, from California to Maine. Attending the meet when one is a falconer. “They say, ‘One bird, one wife; two
this year were Julie Springfield and her husband, Billy, birds, no wife,” she said with a chuckle.
members of the Texas Hawking Association. They teamed Huber said the Quartz Mountain meet turned out to be one

with Francie Forrester of Elm Grove, La., to take their of larger meets NAFA has conducted. He credited the excel-
Harris’ hawks hunting near Altus. lent remodeled lodge and the hunting areas available within
The common method for hawking is for several people
NAFA SOCIAL MEDIA
to form a team of “pushers” that walks through a field to
flush game for their raptors to pursue. It’s great exercise for
the birds and the people, too, Julie said.
She’s been a falconer for 13 years. “I do this for myself
and for the birds,” she said. “It’s hard to describe.

“I enjoy seeing the birds flying, doing what they do nat-
urally. I love how they fly, and how they hunt, and how
they use their wings to navigate. And it’s really neat how

they work with their owner.”
The Springfields were flying a tiercel Harris’ hawk that
A NAFA member visits with other field meet attendees while holding
was still rather new to the whole situation. Forrester brought his raptor.

COURTESY JOSH NEWBERRY/BEAUDEAUXFOTO

Students from Granite Elementary School get a lesson from NAFA members and an up-close look at some of the raptors.
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