Eagle Austringers Club UK?

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

With eagles becoming more available and sought after, do eagle austringers in the UK think its time for a dedicated club. I think that due to pressure of numbers other clubs dont accomodate those flying or looking into flying eagles (As we are a minority). Though we are very much in the front line curtousey of our fox hunting friends. Do other people out there practicing eagle falconry think its about time we became an organised body and stood together?

[Barry]

Yep. As long as we don't become an exclusive club full of snobs who think they are something special.

Barry.

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

There arent realy clubs out there like that are there Barry? PMSL. No what I was thinking was that we should have a voice as an organised body. Yet also be available to aid those interested through the process of looking into wether eagle falconry is for them.

[OutFlying]

Will you be holding the club meets in a telephone box ? :rolleyes:

[MickeyDredd]

K

I dont think you need a separate voice in terms of fighting legislation etc - you would only be diluting the present bodies by setting up a new one.

A "club"/"forum" which exchanged ideas, met up, etc would probably be a good idea.

Just my thoughts

[Tim Laycock]

Will you be holding the club meets in a telephone box ? :rolleyes:

PMSL:supz:
Quality:lol:

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Will you be holding the club meets in a telephone box ? :rolleyes:
Theres always some clown.

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

If the BFC's stance on fox flights is us not needing to protect our own sport I dont know what is.

[OutFlying]

Theres always some clown.

It was said "jokingly" - thought you had a sense of humour. :goodman:

[OutFlying]

Seriously - I don't think you'll have the numbers necessary to be able to make a difference without the support of a bigger organisation. Maybe you need to lobby the existing groups better.

Yours the ex- clown ;)

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Yeah I know.

[Zam]

I think you may find some people who fly eagles prefer to go quietly about their business and NOT draw attention to the fact that they own one.

IMHO:D

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

So theyd rather sit there in silence and watch their sport disapear! Times have changed, they realy have, If we dont stand up and be counted were knackered!

[CooperMan]

I think it is a great idea but like outflying said it would need to be affiliated to the hawk board in some way such as trying to have a representitive sit on the board. I don't know if that is possible or not. As far as organisiing meets discussing trainning etc we have the perfect medium infront of us now and the beer is cheeper than pub stuff.

[Tim Laycock]

I think it is a great idea but like outflying said it would need to be affiliated to the hawk board in some way such as trying to have a representitive sit on the board.

A club must have more than 50 members and it costs a f ucking packet!!!

[Zam]

So theyd rather sit there in silence and watch their sport disapear! Times have changed, they realy have, If we dont stand up and be counted were knackered!

I agree, but only upto a point. I haven't a clue how many people fly eagles in the UK - do you? But I'll wager VERY few! So, on numbers alone, an "Eagle Club" will have as much clout as a flea in a wheelchair. If the government decides to ban falconry tomorrow, they will - and neither the Hawk Board, nor an Eagle Club will stop that.

I DO think there is a case for legislation regarding the ownership of eagles. It should not be legally possible for anyone with £4 - 6,000 (or whatever) to purchase a potentially dangerous bird - and not be required to produce some sort of proof of competence in keeping eagles. I know others on this forum believe in some sort of general licensing for all BoPs.

But I wonder if you eagles keepers "stand up and be counted" as you put it, you may find you have the unwelcome finger of the antis pointed at you - thereby drawing the publics' attention to these "huge, baby-snatching monsters"

Just a thought!

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Which goes right back to the point that the fox hunting bregade are already making this the case.

[GM090158]

K, I understand what you are saying, come along and have a chat with the eagle flyers at the NRC, we currently have 3 two of which are committee members, with your very thoughts in mind!!