Larry Dickerson, Master Falconer from Statesville will take two adults (or one young person accompanied by an adult) on a falconry adventure.

Larry has 25 years' experience as a falconer although he has been working with birds of prey longer than that. Larry has trained and worked with a variety of birds from the American Kestrel to the golden and bald eagle and most species in between. He specializes in red tailed hawks, Coopers hawks and goshawks as his hunting partners. He is a life member and past president of the North American Falconers Association (NAFA), the world's largest membership falconry organization. In 2014 Larry received the Freienmuth Award, NAFA's highest honor for his leadership and service. He is also a very proud life member and past president of the North Carolina Falconers Guild as well as a member of the International Association of Falconry. He has traveled and hunted with his birds all over the United States as well as some international travel. He is a passionate speaker and advocate for birds of prey and conservation. He continues to serve the national falconry organization as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee. Larry has also been a volunteer specialist with the Carolina Raptor Center for about 27 years.

This adventure will consist of actual hunting with a bird (or birds) of prey. Falconry is the pursuit of quarry in its natural habitat with a trained bird of prey. This is not "exhibition or show" flying or training. This is the "real deal" and participating in what the birds do naturally?hunt and (hopefully) catch their quarry. This adventure will take place near Statesville at a time, date and place that will be arranged by the recipient and the falconer between November 18, 2019 and February 28, 2020. Larry's contact information will be provided by CRC to the recipient.

This is an outdoor activity and is often conducted in thick and rugged terrain. Hunts generally last an hour (+/-) and may cover as much as two miles. Participants need to be in reasonable physical condition and dress appropriately for the weather and being in the woods and thickets. If you wish to actively participate in hunting you must be a licensed hunter in the state of NC. If you wish only to walk, observe the hunt, take photographs or engage falconers in conversation, you are not required to be licensed. All local, state and federal regulations as well as requirements of the landowner(s) will be adhered to. Unlike most hunting however, you don't have to be quiet. We want people to have a good time and experience something they will likely only experience once in a lifetime.