Name?

Kent Carbaugh

How long have you been an OFA member?

About 8 years.

Positions in OFA?

I am currently the Treasurer.

Where do you live?

Bartlesville

Job or School?

I have been with ConocoPhillips for 31 years.  Currently, I am Information Security Lead for the Americas.

Family?

I have a great preacher wife, Tari and two daughters.  Rusty attends college at Newman University in Wichita, KS and Loni is a Junior at Dewey High School.

What got you interested in falconry?

When I was young I saw a halftime show put on by the Air Force Academy.  When that falcon went out of sight and stooped the lure, I thought to myself, “how did they get a bird to do that?”  I was hooked right then. I read about it but was never in the right place or time to practice it.  About 15 years ago I was in England and had the opportunity to go hunting with some falconers there and actually got to hold a hybrid.  It was great and the hook was set.  Then as fate would have it we moved to Bartlesville and a friend of a friend (who later became my first mentor) came to my house for a BBQ, we started talking about falconry and he offered to sponsor me.  It took me about 6 months and I started out on my falconry journey.

Who was your sponsor? (or mentors and influences?)

Ken Riddle was my sponsor and when he went to Abu Dhabi, Ryan VanZant took me under his wing.  I would have to say that Ryan and Ken had the biggest influence on me.  I also have hunted a lot with Jonathan Coleman and Daniel Murray.

What birds do you currently fly?

I currently have 2 male Harris’ Hawks.

What birds have you flown in the past?

Red Tails, Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, and Harris’.

What was your favorite bird and why?

Favorite, that’s hard.  I like all the birds I have had.  I have to say that the first female red tail that I trapped has a soft spot with me.  She was hard hitting and liked to bust the briars after the bunnies.  Maybe when the Harris are working well together, I’ll change my mind.

What birds do you plan to fly or would like to fly?

After I retire, I’d like to put the time in on hybrids or Peregrines.

Favorite Quarry?

I like to chase bunnies.  Also, chasing birds with a Kestrel is a blast.

Do you have other animals?

I have a German Shorthair, named Bronc.  The family also has a basset hound, a box turtle, and a green cheek conure.

Favorite falconry story?

As far as hunting it would have to be when Jonathan’s red tail caught 4 rabbits (read about it in his past featured member bio).

Funniest falconry story?

So many non-falconry stories while out hunting, especially the one about Chris Kimble’s truck (he probably doesn’t think it is funny).  I guess the funny story I have is once while hunting with Ryan my red tail caught a 6 ft bull snake.  It took both Ryan and I to get them separated.  Of course everyone else will probably say that it would be something about my Harris that prefers reptiles and has caught lizards, frogs, and a turtle……….

Favorite quote?

“Look they’re holding hands.” – Ryan VanZant (usually when your red tail has just grabbed your hand…….).

What is the best tip that you would give someone new to the sport?

Read everything you can, there is a lot on this sport.  Learn from all those around you and be prepared for the ups and downs along the way.  Also, get a kindle, it makes carrying all those books easier.

Who have you sponsored?

No one.  I’m still new to this.  ; ^ )

What goals do you have for your falconry experience?

Catch a deer with an eagle, like those YouTube videos…..seriously, just to have fun and learn from my birds and other falconers.

Anything Else?

I wish my dad was alive, he would have loved this.