I am a general level…

I am a general level falconer in the United States, having completed a 2-year apprenticeship and obtaining numerous licenses through federal and state governments. Before this, I knew little about the falconry community as a whole, so I went to large national conferences and small local venues as well. Many years ago, I was an animal rights activist and I was astounded by the community's respect and love towards their birds and fierce environmental and educational advocacy- astounded because I had been indoctrinated that hunting of any sort was unethical. Fast forward to the present day; I have been involved in falconry for 6 years and continue the environmental advocacy I cultivated prior. As hunters practicing one of the oldest human-animal partnerships, we are in tune to the environment on an acute level, preserving habitat and deeply concerned with the health of wildlife. I fully support the proposal to advance falconry in Ontario. Although the falconry community is small, there will be much given back to the larger community of Ontario, both socially and environmentally.