The annual AHA picnic was a great time. There was a good turnout of falconers from all over the state, and falconers from outside the state as well. There was good food, fun, and fellowship for all to enjoy. A special thanks to JC's Fish & Bar-B-Que goes out from all of us for the great food!

After the food and fun, we had a short business meeting to try and resolve some issues that are pending. Among those issues were a run-off situation for the position of Vice President. As it turned out, both candidates were there, and they decided not to have a run-off at all. Bob Peavey withdrew and allowed Rusty Scarbourgh to take the position. There was a lengthy discussion about how to handle our present business situation and our board of directors is diligently working on a solution to those concerns.

A big thanks also goes out to Ron and Brenda Russell for their contributions as raffle meisters. Because of their efforts we had a great raffle after the business meeting. Thanks Ron and Brenda!

Also thank you to everyone who helped to clean-up after the picnic. We appreciate everyone's efforts in helping the AHA maintain a good public relation everywhere we go.

Chris Price and some of his friends did some hang gliding off the mountain after the picnic was over. If you've never had a chance to watch some of these talented flyers in action, you just don't know what you have been missing! If you are interested in watching some of the action, get in contact with Chris. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you some information on where to go and watch some hang gliders fly.

The Arkansas Hawking Association's annual apprenticeship workshop will be held on August 21, 2010 at the Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff. We have reserved the Nature Center from 8:00 am through the rest of the day. Catering of some kind will be provided. If you have any suggestions, please contact either Rusty Scarborough or Billy Workman.

The results of the officer elections was announced at the summer picnic in June. The new president of the association will be Billy Workman. Francine Forrester will continue to serve as Secratary/Treasurer, and Rusty Scarborough will be the new Vice President. Rusty Scarborough will also take over the position of Out of State Membership Director.

We would like to give a special thank you to those who choose to serve as an officer of our organization, and to those who have served in the past and continue to dedicate themselves to the ongoing needs of falconers in Arkansas and around the world.

The NAFA voting ballots for director at large and whether to increase membership dues have been sent out. Please remember to vote. As constituents of NAFA we have a duty to take part in elections and decisions that are taking place. This will be Arkansas' second year to have permits to distribute among its falconers for the take of passage peregrines. After a long period of indecision amongst the flyway councils and much contraversy, it was decided that the thirty-six (36) permits for peregrine take would be evenly distributed amoung the three flyways.

As such, the Mississippi flyway was alloted 12 permits. Three (3) of those permits were given to the State of Arkansas. So, once again, Arkansas falconers will have the opportunity to trap one of these wonderful raptors.