Officers’ Reports

President’s Report
Phil Willis

Well, hunting season is upon us. Finally we also have enough articles to put a Gauntlet together. Thanks to the people who sent articles in. I hope everybody understands, no articles, no publication.

As far as the Club goes, not a lot went on this past spring and summer. Every month from now on we have some sort of event planned. I hope to see everyone come and have a good time.

I have recently returned from the South Padre Islands. Kirk Williams and I spent four days trapping and banding Peregrines. We caught and released 55 birds in that time. So much for being endangered.

The breeding season went as always, bumpy. Gyrs, Peregrines, and Redtails all bred. Attempts at breeding Goshawks by a few people but nothing to show for the hard work.

Good luck to everybody this hawking season.

Treasurer’s Report
Bill Satek

Our current finances are in a healthy condition. As of November 10, 2001, the club has $4,283.17 in the bank.

VP’s Report
Frank Hildebrand

I actually thought that I could sneak through my term as Vice President without having to write any articles for the Gauntlet. Fat chance. I’ve never considered myself a writer. As a matter of fact, I barely made it through high school English. I was one of those lazy guys and high school was just a blur. Thank goodness, we now have computer spell check.

Now that I have my lame excuse out of the way, “Greetings from the North Shore.” The summer days have gone by quickly and both of my European Goshawks have molted out great. The annual get-back-in-shape, lose-the-fat, pump-you-up routine with the birds is getting a late start this year. But, I’m determined to get out and start flying ducks soon.

There has been an unusual amount of rain this fall and puddles of water are everywhere. The ducks in these new puddles seem to laugh as I drive by, knowing very well that I’m not ready to hunt them yet. All I can say is, “Soon, very soon.”

It was good to see many of you at the annual picnic, to catch upon what’s new and reminisce of hunting days gone by, and to get psyched about the up coming season. Special thanks once again to George Kotsiopoulos for hosting the picnic. His hospitality and warm heart is appreciated by all. Thanks, also, to all those who prepared the wonderful food.

I’m looking forward to this year’s events, beginning with the falconry demo on November 10th. Perhaps we’ll see Phil Willis running again. That’s always worth a good laugh. The mini-meets are always an enjoyable time. I especially enjoy going out with the larger hunting parties. It’s a good opportunity to see different hunting birds and styles, and also, to enjoy each other’s company.

The Central States meet will be an event you won’t want to miss. Gun season will have ended, and there’s a good possibility that snow will be covering the ground. These two factors combined provide hope for an exciting and memorable experience. Hope to see many of you there. Don’t forget to make your reservations!

By the way, between the time I started to prepare this contribution to the Gauntlet and now, I have been out a number of times with my two goshawks looking for ducks. Most, not all, of those ducks I saw previously frolicking in the ponds have managed to elude me. Now, all I have to say is, “He who laughs last, laughs best.”

Director’s Report
George Kotsiopoulos

It would be difficult to write a director’s report without some mention of the September 11th that no American will forget or put aside and put aside we must. The GLFA picnic was a few days before that terrible day and was as beautiful a day for a picnic as anyone could imagine. I have included with this report a number of photos that speak for themselves in that we were standing around waiting for the Russ famous pig roasting to perfection. Once the eating started the conversation fell to a low. What friends, food and the best of surroundings to please everyone. If there was a down side it was that Peter Oberg was in a motorcycle accident and Jack was attending his son who is now on the mend from what was a very serious accident. All of GLFA sends Peter our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
The falconry season starts now with the beginning of trapping and the hunting. This being Oct. 3rd the geese are already coming down in very large numbers some flocks in the thousands. By Sunday the 7th of October our temperature will be in the 30-degree range and the fall season is coming on strong.

As of this writing Phil Willis and Kirk Williams have gone to Texas to band Peregrines thanks to the lower airfares. Jack Oberg and Frank Matello are gearing up for Nebraska their annual migration north to be followed by Michel Fleasch coming to the Great Lakes group to see how we fly longwings his primary interest. I must mention Michel is making the trip from France.

Since I began this report I have called The Irish Club in Ireland and spoke with both the director, Liam O’Broin and the secretary, Eoghan Ryan in what I believe to be a most wonderful dialogue concerning falconry. I asked if we could print two of their articles from their 2000 journal and they said yes. Enclosed with this report are the two articles as well as the inside cover page and cover to give our members an idea of how well organized they are and that we can learn from them. I would ask that different members from GLFA would take upon themselves to contact a foreign club to keep some kind of discourse that could be shared with our members. After reading the articles from their journal I would like to visit their meets. I strongly believe that we must become a community of falconers on a worldwide scale for the good of our sport. Anything less than this is very shortsighted.

I will close this report by saying that I went to the British Falconry fair and helped celebrate Frank Beebe’s 87th birthday who is now about to marry Clare who I met in England. Getting to England from France was a ride I will never forget going 190 mph, which isn’t the fastest train. Go abroad and see the wonders of the world rather than live the slugerdized at home so said Shakespeare.

GLFA Needs your Input

The club is in need of your creative ideas on how to make your organization even better. Do you have ideas about field meets, the game dinner or any other activities the club should be involved in for the future? If you do, please send them to the GLFA, P.O. Box 377, Deerfield, IL 60015. Please send any ideas you have, small or big. Fresh ideas and innovative approaches today can lead to a better GLFA tomorrow.