As its name implies, the North American Falconers
Association is an organization dedicated to the sport
of falconry. NAFA's regular (voting) membership is
currently open to essentially, anyone. This has
allowed those opposed to hunting to become members and
reshape our sport and in this regard, I'd like the
membership to recall the boldly displayed, non hunting
definition of falconry, recently removed from our
website. This definition had been displayed for nearly
ten years, indicating the long term extent of the anti
hunting sentiment within our ranks. In the past this
wasn't a problem; our nonfalconer members were always
supportive of our game hawking. Today this is
increasingly not the case.

The reasons why falconers hunt with birds are so
esoteric, that very few can describe it, but many do
feel, that only by hunting with a raptor do they
actually enter into, and become part of, life's
natural cycle if even for a short time. This, I
believe, is the essential difference between falconry
and all other raptor related activities, and why our
sport should be shaped mainly by those that hunt with
birds.

But, an even more compelling reason for limiting NAFA
voting to licensed falconers now exists: NAFA is in
danger of an internal takeover. Prior to the 2002 NAFA
meet our Central Director, Kevin Suedmeyer, was
approached by a representative of The Humane Society
of the United States (HSUS), an animal rightist group
that does not believe in hunting, with a serious offer
to buy $25,000 worth of our memberships. Of course
this offer was not accepted, but the fact that it was
made, shows just how vulnerable we are. More likely
NAFA will be taken over slowly, and in fact, it may
already be happening; Director Suedmeyer informed me
on Feb. 26 that three HSUS members have joined NAFA
since the Kearney meet. Kevin assured me these new
members did not originate in his directorate, but this
begs the question as to the scope of HSUS (1998 budget
$36 million) takeover efforts. Whether you believe
this threat real or imaginary, it is possible, and
it's time for NAFA members to take action.

This constitutional change would grandfather in all
present NAFA members; no one would be disenfranchised,
and it would not dissuade anyone who truly wants to
help NAFA as an associate member. This amendment would
honor older falconers who no longer practice falconry,
or who practiced prior to federal regulations, and to
the other nonfalconer members, mostly falconers'
wives, who have given so generously of themselves to
further NAFA and our sport.

When NAFA's Constitution and By-Laws were written in
1961 there were no animal rightist groups to be
worried about, no internet, and only one definition of
falconry. But, times have changed and NAFA is
vulnerable. Without NAFA's support and protection,
falconry could be outlawed. If you truly care about
our sport, it's continued existence, and all it has
given to other raptor related activities, please vote
FOR this amendment.

-Dick Musser
NAFA Director-at-Large