To kick-off the South Georgia Outdoor Expo, event organizers are offering a chance to learn about falconry, the art of hunting with birds of prey, during the wild game supper event.
Dr. Griff Lindsey will be the guest speaker for the South Georgia Outdoor Expo’s 5th Annual Wild Game Supper, which will be held Thursday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the C.E.Weir Center.
Falconry, one of the world’s oldest hunting sports, is defined as the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor. No one knows for sure when and where falconry began but, based on pictorial records, it is thought that it originated in either Asia or the Middle East between 4,000 to 6,000 years ago. Prior to the invention of firearms in the early 17th century, raptors were used as a method of obtaining food.
Today, falconry is the most highly regulated of all hunting sports practiced in the United States. It requires testing, inspections, and special permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia DNR.
After attending The Highland Games in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 2007 and seeing the sport of falconry displayed, Dr. Lindsey wanted to pursue this fascinating and addictive sport. Upon completing all of the necessary requirements and tests, Griff became an apprentice falconer in 2012. After trapping his first red tail hawk, Piper, the process of bonding and training began. Over the past two seasons, Griff and Piper have enjoyed days in the woods hunting squirrels (and sometimes other surprises), attending falconry meets, and through presentations have educated others about this incredible “sport of kings.”
Dr. Lindsey resides in Douglas with his wife and three children and is a local dentist.
Tickets for the wild game supper are on sale now at the City of Douglas Public Information office, located at 211 South Gaskin Avenue and are $15 per person. Event partners include Gopher Plantation, Lasseter Equipment Group, Cynergy Cargo LLC, McRae Coca-Cola, Coffee Chrysler, Aniston’s Restaurant, Moore Than Graphics, Broadcast South, OnMedia, Vye, Mossy Creek Game Calls, Douglas National Bank, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the City of Douglas.
For more information, please call the City of Douglas Public Information Department at (912)383-0277 or visit www.CityofDouglas.com/SGOE.
– Submitted copy