Name?

John Peadon

How long have you been an OFA member?

5 years

Positions held in OFA?

None

Where do you live?

Owasso, OK

Job or School?

American Airlines

Family?

Wife, Linda, and 3 grown sons

What got you interested in falconry?

I started falconry in 1962 thru 1965.  I quit falconry for fast cars.  My youngest son, Mark, started dating Rob Summer's daughter, so I found the Tulsa falconry community and decided to re-start falconry. 

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

Sponsor: Rob Summers
Mentors/Influences: Jeff Byrum, Mark Waller, and Scott Dillon

What birds do you currently fly?

Hannah, Kestrel that I have flown at starlings for 4 years; Bullet, Gyr-Peregrine - this will be my second season flying at ducks

What birds have you flown in the past?

Red Tails

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

Aplomado

Favorite falconry story?

This year, Hannah went out the car window, returning to the car chased by two Robins.  The Robins came straight into the the car after her.  I grabbed one and pitched it out the window.  Before I could reach the second, Hannah enacted the "let it lay" law.

Funniest falconry story?

Bowling for Starlings.  Jeff Byrum, Mark Waller, Rob Summbers and I were car hawking.  One kestrel went out the window and caught a starling; a secon kestrel was sent out to catch another starling but went to the kill in progress.  Out of the tree darts a squirrel headed to lend assistance to the starling.  just before it reached the birds, it rolled up and "bowled" itself into the birds, scattering the kestrels and setting the starling free!

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

Talk and listen to as many falconers as you can.  That way, you can learn different methods and theories and figure out which works best for you.

Who have you sponsored?

Alex McKinstry

What goals do you have for your falconry experience?

Hunt as long as I can and educate the public on falconry and raptors