Affiliate Spotlight: Idaho Falconers Association
The Idaho Falconers Association (IFA) is a statewide community of falconers dedicated to the ancient practice of hunting with birds of prey and to the conservation of raptors and their habitats. Through education, mentorship, and hands-on stewardship, IFA members work to ensure falconry and healthy wildlife populations endure for future generations.
So, what is Falconry?
Falconry is the time-honored practice of hunting wild quarry with a trained raptor, such as a falcon, hawk, or eagle. Practiced for thousands of years across cultures, modern falconry is one of the most highly regulated hunting traditions in North America, requiring extensive training, licensing, and a deep understanding of raptor biology, behavior, and habitat. Falconers rely on wild landscapes, healthy prey populations, and ethical hunting practices, making conservation and land stewardship inseparable from the sport itself.
From October 24–26, 2025, the Idaho Falconers Association (IFA) gathered once again in Arco, Idaho for their annual Fall Field Meet, returning to the wide‑open landscapes of the Big Desert. This location has long been a favorite among members, and this year’s meet brought together nearly 50 falconers from Idaho and surrounding states.
Flying Birds Across a Vast Public Landscape
The Big Desert spans hundreds of square miles of public land nestled between Craters of the Moon National Monument and the Idaho National Laboratory. Its expansive terrain allows falconers to spread out and fly their birds without interference, creating ideal conditions for both experienced and apprentice falconers.
Game was abundant throughout the weekend, with ducks, jackrabbits, chukar, and sage grouse all present in good numbers. Several falconers successfully took game, while many others enjoyed memorable flights and time afield with their birds. The meet concluded with a banquet and raffle, highlighted by a presentation from guest speaker John Goodell of the Archives of Falconry, who shared an engaging talk on the American goshawk.
Conservation in Action
Beyond flying birds, conservation remains a core part of the IFA’s mission. Over the years, the Association has led and supported numerous raptor conservation projects, including building kestrel nest boxes, installing peregrine nest boxes, constructing ferruginous hawk nesting platforms, and refurbishing existing structures.
This year’s Field Meet included a hands‑on conservation effort focused on fence marking in the Big Desert. Barbed wire fence strikes are a major source of mortality for wintering sage grouse, which fly low during early morning and evening hours when fences are difficult to see. Installing reflective fence markers dramatically improves visibility in low‑light conditions and has been shown to significantly reduce grouse fatalities.
Idaho falconer Joe Terry generously donated the fence markers used for the project. On a cold, foggy morning, IFA members and guests set out to mark fences in a known sage grouse wintering area. The urgency of the work was made clear when participants discovered fresh evidence of a fence strike - sage grouse feathers caught on the top strand of barbed wire and a grouse lying at the base of the fence, killed earlier that same morning.
By the end of the day, the group had marked approximately three miles of fence. Looking ahead, the IFA plans to work with the local cattlemen’s association to explore opportunities for funding additional fence‑marking efforts.
A Weekend of Community and Stewardship
The Fall Field Meet was a strong reminder of what makes the Idaho Falconers Association special: a shared passion for falconry, a commitment to conservation, and a willingness to work together to protect the landscapes and wildlife we depend on. We look forward to continuing this work and returning to the Big Desert again soon.
