About the OFA

The Ohio Falconry Association (OFA) serves to provide information and opportunities to its members in an effort to promote the practice of falconry and the conservation of raptors in the State of Ohio. The OFA represents the majority of Ohio’s licensed falconers.

OFA History

The OFA was first formed in the early 1980’s under the name of the Ohio Hawk Trust (OHT). The founding members of the OHT were largely responsible for the successful effort to legalize falconry in Ohio in 1983. In 1995, the OHT membership voted to change the organization’s name to the Ohio Falconry Association (OFA) to more clearly reflect its purpose. The OFA is a non-profit organization that operates under these bylaws.

Membership

Current membership in the OFA is approximately 60. Regular voting membership is available to all individuals that posess a current permit to practice falconry in Ohio. Associate (non-voting) membership status is available to others that have an interest in falconry and wish to take a positive role in OFA activities. Members pay annual dues. Paid membership includes access to the Member’s Area of this website, where information relevant to OFA members will be posted. Those that register for access (in the lower left corner of each of these web pages) will need to be verified as current paid members of the OFA.   Note that it may take up to 48 hours for a new registrant that is a paid member to be verified and gain access to the Member’s Area (more if the webmaster is on vacation!).  Be patient! The OFA generally has one annual meeting/picnic in the Fall open to all members and their families. In addition to everyone’s personal hunting trips, some members will host group hunts or meets during the winter hunting season. Information on these will be made available to members via email and mail notices, as well as be posted on the member’s area of this website. The OFA publishes at least one newsletter per year to update members on a variety of falconry related topics. If you are interested in becoming a member of the OFA please go to the Membership Information page.

Officers

The OFA is governed by an Executive Committee consisting of a President, Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer elected by the regular membership. Other specially appointed positions such as Newletter Editor,  Apprentice Coordinator, Webpage Coordinator and Political Liaison are created as needed. The officers are elected at each annual meeting/picnic in the fall.