39. Kent Carnie on "The Twelve Turbulent Years" (Part 2)

 Kent Carnie, Curator Emeritus of the Archives of Falconry, joins me for Part two of his two-part series to discuss an account he has written which he refers to as an “eventful period during which American falconry evolved” and our sport “came of age”. That period spanned the years from 1965 until 1976, and is what Kent calls “The Twelve Turbulent Years”.  

We begin Episode 2 recalling 1971 which saw efforts by falconers to draft formal falconry regulations. Kent describes the main objects of three meetings that took place, the first at his home in El Paso, Texas, the Portland Meeting in March, and the Salt Lake City Meeting in September.  

Historically, 1972 was a year arguably as pivotal as 1970, and could perhaps be considered the turning point for the framework that was to become the basis for falconry regulations in the United States.  Kent tells us about the effect of the North American Migratory Bird Treaty Act on falconry, and highlights the instrumental work of Jim Ruos. 

There were three major developments in 1973; a notice pertaining to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), followed by the Fish and Wildlife Service posting of the proposed falconry regulations for public comment, and the passing of the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Kent highlights some of the  implications to falconry of each of these developments.

1974 was a busy year for NAFA, in particular, navigating the anti-falconry positions that had arisen as a result of comments generated during the period that the proposed regulations were open for public feedback.  At issue were 13 main concerns – but of special significance was prohibition of use on an endangered species (i.e., the peregrine falcon) in falconry.  Kent recounts the way in which falconers responded. 

Kent describes 1975 as a year of waiting and outlines some of the events that precipitated delays in completion of the final regulations.

Kent describes the “Momentous Year” (1976).

With the “Twelve Turbulent Years” now almost six decades behind us, we conclude the episode with Kent's message to the cohort of falconers currently practicing falconry in United States and Canada.