Name?

Perry White

How long have you been an OFA member?

I joined OFA in 2001 when I moved from Texas.  I joined for 2 years and was not active in the club at all.  I attended just one summer event before being readmitted to OSU.  I have since rejoined the club this year and hope to be more active in the future.

Positions held in OFA?

None

Where do you live?

LeFlore County, Poteau, OK

Job or School?

I am a partner in a small animal veterinary practice here in Poteau.

Family?

I have a great spouse, Tiffany, and a young son Caleb

What got you interested in falconry?

Growing up in Yukon gave me the chance to see lots of Red Tails and Kestrels. I would watch the Red Tails pound rodents off of the power lines and line up around a field while it was being plowed just waiting for the tractor to get some easy prey up for them.  At some point in my childhood I remember seeing a man in Edmond who was flying what I remember to be kestrels and I was fascinated and hooked.  I did my research on the requirements and presented my plan to my father who did not want to have a facility in his back yard. So, I dismissed the idea until years later when I bought my first house in Texas.  I Called the TPWD and got the list of some local falconers.  On the list was a gentleman by the name of Bill Reisch.  He really helped me out.

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

My sponsor was Keith Buch but I was also heavily influenced by Bill Reisch, John Karger, and Greg Moore.

What birds do you currently fly?

I flew a passage RTH this fall and released her this spring.  I also have a 6 year old Prairie X Merlin that I received on transfer one year ago.  I am so very close to getting him going on starlings.

What birds have you flown in the past?

Red tails, a Red Shoulder, a prairie and couple of kestrels

What was your favorite bird and why?

I had a 3x intermewed Red tail that was a squirrel killing machine.  She was a late trapped bird and didn’t do much her 1^st year.  Her second season however she came on strong but the 3^rd year was the best.  It almost wasn’t fair to watch her set up a squirrel.  You could put her up and sit down to watch the canopy.  She would eventually move and you knew a chase was soon to follow.  Just watching her you could find the squirrel and even plot her next move.  She was great on the kill and a joy in the mews.  I started back to college and felt she needed more time than I would have so I released her after her 3^rd season.

Favorite Quarry?

At this time squirrel is still my favorite quarry.  The 3D chases give the birds the ability to show so many of their flight capabilities.

Do you have other animals?

I have a lab mix, a Shar Pei, 2 Jack Russell terrier’s, a double yellow head parrot, and a small pigeon coop.

Favorite falconry story?

My favorite story happened while attending a THA Abilene meet several years ago with a 2 x intermewed redtail.  She was chasing a squirrel and it had gotten into its nest at the top of a large oak.   She sat there for a few minutes and then jumped to flight.  She started ringing up and almost hit some power lines while climbing up.  Everyone there was telling me to pull my lure because she was going up into a soar.  She made several spirals and was maybe 150 -200 feet up.  I just kept watching her and she was watching that nest!  She finally soared over the top of the tree, folded up and pounded that nest.  Of course the squirrel shot out of the bottom of the nest never to be seen again while she was bound to a stick.

Funniest falconry story?

My buddies red tail stooped a rabbit but there was no squealing going on while making in.  Manny looked at me and said “this rabbit has no head!”  She had hit it so hard that the head had popped off and was a couple of feet away!

Favorite quote?

Health is the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

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

Ask questions of as many people you have can find, read as many books you can find.  Observe others and when something happens that you don’t like or think went poorly, realize it is probably your fault.  Analyze the situation and think of what you can do in the future to change this outcome.

Who have you sponsored?

My one and only Apprentice is Don Collins of Cameron, OK

What goals do you have for your falconry experience?

I would like to do some breeding at some point, not for profit but just for personal achievement and enjoyment.

Contact Info you want public?

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,   Cell 918-649-4261

Anything Else?

I look forward to meeting the current and future members of this club and becoming more active making this one of the best clubs in the nation.