RALEIGH - March 4, 2009
(see notes below for an update)

Today (March 4, 2009) during it's regularly scheduled meeting, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission approved the practice of falconry on Sundays during the lawful seasons established for falconry.

Referred to as H25 in the NCWRC Public Hearings booklet and in the March 4, 2009 Agenda Packet, H25 reads "Allow falconry on Sundays except for migratory game birds.* "

* The length of the migratory game bird seasons in North Carolina is based upon federal frameworks that assume migratory birds may not be hunted on Sundays.

Now what?

Now that the NCWRC has approved falconry on Sunday, the NCWRC staff must prepare the actual regulations. Commonly called "codifying" these regulations are written for inclusion in NC Administrative Code (this is where falconry regulations are). This is not unlike the USFWS Falconry regulations. They have to first be written, sent to the attorney's for review, approved and then published in the North Carolina Register before they are official. This happens every year when regulations are changed and the staff at the NCWRC know exactly what they are doing to carry out the decisions of the Commissioners. Once the regulations have appeared in the NC Register (just like the Federal register), THEN they are official.

When will this happen?

Before July 1, 2009 to be ready for publication in the NCWRC Regulations Digest for the 2009-2010 seasons. Your officers will know when these regulations are published and will advise you when this happens. Note: Publication was made in the NC Register on April 1, 2009.

There will be other questions you might have. IF there are please contact a NCFG Officer.

Note: If you have been following the president's (Bob's) messages to the membership about this, you know that we have had a hurdle thrown in our path. I hate to say it but this hurdle appears to have been put up by another "sporting" group. It is ludicrous that ONE group of people would object to a rule that would not only allow us to hunt with our birds but deprive other sportsmen and women the opportunity to be in the great outdoors, enjoying what WE enjoy on PRIVATE PROPERTY an extra 15 DAYS during an entire year. The time of year when few if any other people dare to venture into the cold. Still we continue to try, so keep the faith and keep those letters of support coming! This is all done for you, for falconry and for our birds! If the matter does go to the legislature we will need everyone's support along with that of your family, friends and neighbors.

Personal and editorial notes:

I considered it a rare pleasure to attend the meeting in Raleigh as a proud NCFG Member and as Vice President of NAFA. To hear with my own ears and see with my own eyes. These meetings are impressive and if you have never been to one, go. Be sure to wear your coat and tie gentlemen (you too ladies). I am glad this one time I actually did. There is no way to know what swayed the Commissioners this year. Personally, I think it was combination of many things. Persistence, perseverance, biology, law, political climate change, economic change and a lot of people talking to a lot of other people.

I must also say there are a LOT of people to thank. Chiefly the Commissioners themselves. Dr. David Cobb, Chris McGrath, Daren Barnes and Tammy (Minchew) Rundle. Dr. Cobb worked very hard on this as did all the members of the staff. Your NCFG Officers both past and present. The public that supported this proposal and all of you who took time out to attend meetings, make phone calls and write letters or at least go online and submit your support. This single moment has taken years but the NCFG continues to make friends and develop relationships that will last for many more years to come. Today I was able to personally witness history being made.

Now the editorial.

Why write an editorial comment? Because I am the webmaster and I can, but mostly because I think it needs to be said over and over and over. This issue (among the many others that have had positive outcome) is why we have the North Carolina Falconers Guild. We do not need an organization to go hunting together. We do that anyway. We have always hunted with our friends and people we enjoy flying our birds with. The NCFG represents YOU it's members as a single unified voice to government officials, the public and to other state, national and international falconry organizations. It takes work. It takes countless hours and all of this is on a voluntary basis. Not one single person in the NCFG is paid one penny for the work they do. No officer is compensated for their time, travel and countless long distance calls and meetings. It is all done for YOU and for falconry. Be very thankful you have people who care enough about YOU and quality falconry, to stand up for YOU. I am.

We need good members. Every falconer in North Carolina should be a member but many are not. Someone may have had their feelings hurt or had some personal issue with someone. So what? That should not stop anyone from actively participating and standing shoulder to shoulder and getting the work done. Did you know the NCFG has NEVER had a dues increase? It is a fact. It was $10 in 1986 and it is $10 today. $10 does not keep anyone away. So why? If your officers had the answer to that I am pretty sure they could solve the problems of the world. Whatever the reason, even falconers who are not members benefit from the hard work of the NCFG. Your $10 in dues barley covers the cost of mailings, let alone paper, this website, the small grants and donations we make, etc. Even our national organization, the North American Falconers Association is the same, as are most other state organizations. The cost of operation is not covered entirely by dues. It is covered by hard work and dedicated individuals working for YOU and for the common good. Stand up, be counted, be an active member! Support your officers. Complain when something really needs to be addressed, otherwise actively work to support YOUR organization and do it in a constructive way. Say yes when called upon to contribute your time, your energy and your talents to YOUR organization.

If you want to know what the NCFG has done for YOU as a falconer in North Carolina in recent years and what is "on the radar" now...click here. If you are NOT a member and you WANT to be, click here for an application. If you are already a member be sure to send your dues and renewal form to Judy, now!

Your most humble servant,
Larry Dickerson

PS: Bow hunting will also be allowed on Sunday on private land only. Congratulations to the bow hunting associations and the bow hunting community in NC. To review all the changes in regulations for the 2009-2010 season, click here.