Name?

Stephen Olner

How long have you been an OFA member?

4 years

Where do you live?

I now live in Bartlesville, moved here 6 months
ago. Before that Colbert Oklahoma.

Job or School?

I work for ConocoPhillips as the TFS Administrator


Family?

Latrell my wife, Shelby, Katie, Matthew and Nathan my children.


What got you interested in falconry?

I read a book by Phillip Glasier
when i was 11 called As the Falcon Her Bells.


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

Steve Armstrong was my sponsor, Jay Lehmer and Ryan VanZant have been very helpful. I try and learn something from everyone.

What birds do you currently fly?

Passage Cooper’s Hawk


What birds have you flown in the past?

I have only ever flown passage Red-tails and a Hybrid.


What was your favorite bird and why?

My last redtail was my favorite.
We had started to do soar hawking. It was pretty amazing to watch and
be part of.


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

I eventually want to have a go at flying everything but for now a passage coopers hawk would be awesome and some sort of falcon


Favorite Quarry?

Only ever flown on Rabbits and Squirrels


Do you have other animals?

3 dogs.


Favorite falconry story?

I don't really have a favorite other than the first time my male redtail soared above a group of us. He was up about 200 feet and just soaring in circles overhead, it was amazing
to watch.


Funniest falconry story?

Everyone has a skunk story and mines not to dissimilar. I had a large
female redtail that I couldn't get to go on anything. She would just
fly up to a telegraph pole and sit there. One day I managed to get her
to follow me when a skunk came out of a rabbit hole. She was on it.
After about 30 minutes of me throwing up because of the smell, I
called my sponsor. His response was "cut its jesses!" I then called
the wife and we decided to bring her home. Half way home my wife calls
and says "You’re in my car!”  We were traveling to OKC the next day
and the car smelled the whole way.  3 days later we released her and
trapped a male redtail. You could smell my house from 2 blocks away.


Favorite quote?

"If you’re not bleeding you’re not hawking"

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

Take your time and learn from everyone.


Who have you sponsored?

No one yet and I really don't want to. It’s a
great responsibility and not to be taken lightly.


What goals do you have for your falconry experience?

To become the best falconer I can.


Contact Info you want public?
580-380-2056
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Social Networks?
Facebook.