The annual Georgia Falconry Association field meet was held this year in Pine Mountain, Georgia on the Martin Luther King Day weekend. Dale Arrowood had a good selection of hunting sites secured with 2 new areas this year. Saturday morning dawned cloudy with rain threatening. After the traditional breakfast and group picture at the 27th Street Grill we hit the woods. The rain held off until about 11:30. A few brave souls went out and hunted in the rain Saturday afternoon, but most of us called it a day. It was still raining Sunday morning, but some hunted anyway. Most people caught game.Approximately 100 people attended the meet, including visitors. About 70 of these were falconers or prospective falconers. There were several states represented including Alaska, Tennessee, Alabama and of course, Georgia.

The Banquet was a huge success with 63 people in attendance. The food was good and the raffle was super. We had to use so many tables to display the vendor donations and the items brought by several members we were afraid we wouldn't have enough to eat on! The top item was a $400.00 Coleman stove and the lucky winner was Smokey. In addition to the raffle, Roy DeWitts falconry gear and book collection was auctioned off with about $700.00 raised to go to Roy's widow.

Dan Hart with the American Bald Eagle Foundation (http://www.baldeagles.org) gave a short, but very interesting talk on "Falconiformes vs Humans Visual Systems" in which he explained how the bird and human eye differs. Steve Hoddy showed some slides and Ricky Schomberg talked about Harris' Hawks.

Many thanks to our Board of Directors, Dana Bledsoe (with help from Mike) for obtaining so many raffle items, members who brought items and all others who had a part in putting together a successful meet.

Pine Mountain, GA, is 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. Take I-85 South from Atlanta to I-185 (exit 21) and continue south to the U.S. Hwy. 27 (exit 42). Turn left onto U.S. Hwy. 27 and drive south approximately 10 miles to Pine Mountain.

FRIDAY, JAN 15

After 2:00 PM: Motel check-in. We have booked a block of 30 rooms at the Days Inn, 368 S Main Ave in Pine Mountain at a daily rate of $59.99 per room (double occupancy) and includes continental breakfast. Individual members are responsible for making their own reservations. When you call the motel make sure that you identify yourself as a member of GFA. The phone number is (706) 663-2121.
*****NOTE: Rooms will be available at the group rate until Dec 26, 2010. Reservations may be cancelled without penalty until 4:00 PM on this date.

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Registration at Days Inn. Hunting packets and schedules will be provided to members at this time.

Evening meal --- On your own.

SATURDAY, JAN 16

7:00 AM to 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the 27th Street Grill on Main Ave. The grill owner has been making breakfast for the association since we began coming to Pine Mountain. Please join us at this event so that we can ensure that everyone receives maps and is assigned to a hunting group.

8:00 AM: Annual group picture. After breakfast we will assemble in the restaurant parking lot and take the traditional pre-hunt picture.

8:15 AM: Break up into parties for the morning hunt. Someone will be at the restaurant until 9:00 AM
with maps to help direct anyone who might arrive later. If you are going to be later than 9:00 AM just catch the group at lunch and you will be assigned to an afternoon hunting group.

12 Noon - 1:00 PM: Lunch at the Whistling Pig Cafe, Main Ave in Pine Mountain. The café has reserved the meeting room for us. New groups will be organized for the afternoon hunt, or you can return to the morning hunt site.

1:00 PM: Afternoon hunt. Back to the hunt sites.

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM: GFA Annual Banquet at 27th Street Grill. Directions and menu selection will be provided at registration. Cost of the meal will be $20.00, your selection with payment to be made at registration. Menu Choices are: Salmon and Chicken, Salmon and Shrimp or Steak and Shrimp Combo. The meal comes with a choice of baked potato, fries or sauteed vegetables and includes a choice of House or Ceasar salad and toasted bread sticks.

Speaker for the banquet will be world renowned animal trainer and GFA's own Steve Hoddy.

The annual raffle will be part of the event and tickets will be available throughout the evening. We have a great selection of items already and more coming. We will also be offering several items that are of interest during the silent auction. We would like for every member who attends to bring something to donate to the raffle. Anything from artwork to anklets, perches to pea gravel, leather to lures ... you get the picture.
Bring some money and go home with some new toys! If you have an item to donate please bring it to registration on Friday or contact Bob Gordon at (770) 227-7015. If you are attending the Banquet, please email Joey Seabolt and let him know how many people will be in your party. He needs this count for the restaurant.

SUNDAY, JAN 17and MONDAY, JAN 18

8:00 AM: Assemble in the Days Inn parking lot at 8:00 AM for individual and group hunts. We have access to the properties listed on our maps for the entire holiday weekend. Feel free to go as a group or individually. Remember, we are guests. Treat the property as you would your own. We want to be invited back in the future.