Thanks for joining us for the second installment of the New Mexico Falconer's Association Series! This episode features Matt Mitchell, who is a native New Mexican that has been involved in falconry since 1968. He has since flown most species of raptor, starting out with Harris's hawks before discovering his love for falcons. He has also captive bred raptors since 1989, and continues to breed and hunt with raptors in central New Mexico. We still have plenty left to go in this series, so keep tuning back in!

Falconry Told Podcast

Episode 55: Matt Mitchell

This is the start of a series of episodes featuring falconers from the New Mexico Falconer's Association. This first episode in the series features Paul Domski, a falconer of 22 years, and president of the NM Falconer's Association of 10 years. Paul was also on the NAFA board for 7 years, and is also known for running his multiple salukis on jackrabbits and his work with that particular breed of dog. These are very insightful episodes that shed light on the world of NM falconry that you won't want to miss!

Episode 54: Paul Domski

This week, Jon records a special remote episode with the author of The Specialist Falcon, Simon Tyers. A falconer for over 50 years, Simon's journey has amassed a ton of experience as both falconer and dog trainer. Always setting the bar high for himself and seeking perfection, he was inspired to share his culmination of experiences with his book, and Jon was fortunate enough to get to discuss these things with him during this episode, along with a special opportunity from the Falconry Fund! For more info on that, go to https://www.falconryfund.org/redgrouse-sweepstakes. To get Simon's book, head to www.thespecialistfalcon.com.

Episode 53: Simon Tyers

Al Ross, warmly known as "Mr. Merlin" amongst his peers, has long been a pioneer in the sport of falconry. Growing up without the knowledge or access to information later falconers would enjoy, he discovered and learned much of what he's now recognized for developing, almost entirely from studying the raptors in the wild themselves. From being the first to make a game hawk out of a Harris's Hawk, to "outer-mewing" Merlins season after season, to showing the world new things that these capable little falcons were able to do... Even those who have known Al Ross from the beginning still have a hard time keeping up!

Episode 52: Al Ross

While hanging out at the Coulson's, Jon was able to catch up face to face with Matt Mullenix after almost exactly two years to discuss his new book, Four Falconry Fundamentals, and the principles, stories, and mindset that inspired him to write it. It's another fun episode that current and prospective falconers can benefit from! To get your copy of Four Falconry Fundamentals, head to amazon.com, or to get your hands on a copy of his previous books, American Kestrels in Modern Falconry or In Season, head to westernsporting.com. 

Episode 51: Matt Mullenix Part Two

This marks another big milestone for the Falconry Told Podcast, which features widely known Harris's Hawk breeders and curators of the Baywing Database, Tom and Jennifer Coulson! You won't want to miss this conversation with them as they discuss their falconry origins, their breeding project, and some great falconry stories! Enjoy, and thank you all so much for the support over three years and 50 episodes!

Episode 50: Tom and Jennifer Coulson

This episode, Jon reconnects with friend and environmental consultant Tyler Rankin, who is also the current president of the Kentucky Falconers Association, to discuss a range of topics from sharp-shinned hawk research, dirt and squirrel hawking, and of course, Tyler's path to falconry. As always, it's another episode you'll definitely want to check out!

Episode 49: Tyler Rankin

 Howling winds buffet us as Jeremy Kessler and I hunker over my podcasting equipment at the table in Steve Jones' customized school bus. In this episode, we learn about Jeremy Kessler. At the time of recording, Jeremy is flying a cast of falcons… and brings a very interesting perspective into this episode. Despite the most careful planning and preparation, falconry often spirals into a chaotic sport. Many of us spend our days doing everything we can to avoid chaos, to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Jeremy embraces the chaos.   

Episode 48: Jeremy Kessler

While working in Wyoming, Jon was able to meet up with Vahé to check out his facilities and discuss a myriad of topics, including his prior life in photography, abatement, sky trials, and of course, his falconry journey. This is definitely another can't miss episode! For more info about Vahé and his abatement services, please head to http://www.falconforce.com. 

Episode 47: Vahé Alaverdian

Each year, a hardy group of falconers tow their campers and teepees far into the remote southwestern Wyoming desert, where they set them up around Steve Jones' customized school bus. In this episode, we learn about Steve Jones, widely known for his American Falconry Magazine. From his falconry origins, to the beginning of their annual grouse camp tradition, flying casts of falcons, and so much more! 

Episode 46: Steve Jones

Jon makes a short trip to Idaho to do some flying and trapping with friends Brad and Kelly Smoot! Long time falconers and falconry equipment makers, Brad and Kelly shed light on their path to falconry, their favorite falconry preferences, and what's next on their falconry journey! We hope you enjoy the animal cameos and stories, which are sure to make any falconer feel right at home!

Episode 45: Brad and Kelly Smoot

After doing some morning trapping, Jon sits down with Stephanie to discuss her falconry journey thus far. Whether it was starting her falconry path in 2016 after graduating with her Bachelor's degree or recently pursuing her Master's degree in wildlife biology and conservation in Scotland, Stephanie's stories and perspectives were insightful to hear! We hope you enjoy hearing about her falconry journey thus far, and thanks for joining us for another episode of the Falconry Told Podcast!

Episode 44: Stephanie Stuckwisch

If you know Gary, you know how he wants the spotlight anywhere but on him… But with such a wide-ranging reputation, it was only a matter of time before we would catch him on his trips to Wyoming to hawk Sage Grouse. Between hawking, working his Setter “Hope”, fishing for trout, arrowhead hunting, or competing with Steve at a thousand games of cornhole, pinning him down was no small task. Boberg is widely known, and loved. Decades of hard hawking alongside his California peers and his positive, genuine personality have made him a staple of West Coast falconry friendships. In this episode, we get to know Gary’s story… A lot of you will know many of the names he drops. We experience California as it once was, through Cooper’s Hawk hunting exploits and the golden age of duck hawking in the state, as we follow Gary’s illustrious falconry journey from boyhood to his latest endeavors with eagles and chasing the pinnacle moments of grouse hawking.

Episode 43: Gary Boberg

In this episode, sit in with Jon as he meets Kris Klosterman, a professional fire fighter (amongst other things) and falconer of seven years, for the first time to discuss the ever challenging balance between falconry and careers, red tail hawking with squirrels, and other stories! This is definitely a diverse and fun episode you won't want to miss!

Episode 42: Kris Klosterman

Join Jon as he meets up with Colombus, OH falconer Joe Dorrian to discuss raptor education, as well as the other traditional aspects of falconry! Joe’s fascination with falconry started at an early age. Unfortunately, life got in the way and it wasn’t until he completed his MA that he seriously pursued the sport. Since that time, Joe has served as Ohio’s first Apprentice Director and started only the sixth school of falconry (the Ohio School of Falconry) in the United States in 2014. Tune in to hear his story!

Episode 41: Joe Dorrian

Falconry is our passion. The desire to tell the stories of falconry has only grown stronger. Now we're looking bigger, aiming to continue the YouTube video productions, but also to create full-length documentaries, a podcast featuring renowned and interesting guests, and curate a photography based blog. Introducing Falconry Told.

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Falconry Told Podcast

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