Page 25 - Jan/Feb 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

an hour’s drive, which include Altus-Lugert, Hackberry Flat,
and Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Areas.
In addition, Huber spent many hours knocking on doors

to gain permission for falconers to hunt on 20,000 pri-
vate acres in the area. “It’s about opportunity; you’ve got to
have places to go.”
Huber is quite active in the state falconry group. It’s a
passion that began for him more than 50 years ago, when

he was a curious 12-year-old and saw an episode of “Wild
Kingdom.” Trying to discourage the boy, Huber’s dad gave
him a book about falconry, but that plan backfired. “Every

cent I had after that went to buy more falconry books!”
Two years later, Huber got his first raptor — a red-tailed
hawk — before falconry was a regulated sport.
“It’s about watching the birds. It’s about being part of
the bird.”

Huber hunts every chance he can get, at least three days
a week. He estimates his falcon takes about 20 ducks in a
season, but success is sporadic.

“While the birds are not pets, they become part of you.
They are highly prized.
“If one of my birds gets hurt or sick, I worry about them
almost more than I worry about my kids.”

COURTESY JOSH NEWBERRY/BEAUDEAUXFOTO

Members of the North American Falconers Association gather for a group photo during the group’s 2021 Field Meet at Quartz Mountain State
Lodge near Lone Wolf.
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