The public can attend the Ohio Falconry Association’s end-of-season meet to learn about falconry and birds of prey, including the eastern barn owl. The event takes place starting with breakfast between 7 and 8 a.m. Friday and runs until Sunday in Holloway. Photo Provided

HOLLOWAY — People interested in falconry can join the Ohio Falconry Association for its end-of-season meet to go squirrel and rabbit hunting while learning about birds of prey.

Ohio Falconry Association President Mick Brown will lead the meet starting with breakfast between 7 and 8 a.m. Friday. It continues on Saturday and Sunday at the Old Timers Club in Holloway, 421 E. Main St.

Along with many falconers who train and use birds of prey to hunt wild animals, on Saturday there will be a golden eagle arriving around noon for people to see. The event is free to the public, and people are welcome to stay overnight. Food and water will also be available for free.

The meet will have falconry birds that people can see and take pictures of. Brown also offers people the opportunity to go squirrel and rabbit hunting if they wear the proper clothes, which are hunting gear, boots, pants, old coats and outdoor clothing.

The event is to introduce the public to what falconry is all about, Brown said.

“It’s the oldest activity,” he said. “People don’t realize that it’s thousands of years old.”

Brown added that falconry started in the Far East, where he said people would see a bird of prey eating a pheasant or a duck and would chase the predator away so they could eat the pheasant or duck. He said those people eventually thought, “Why don’t we catch this bird and train it to hunt with us?”

Brown noted the event is really neat because people get to see birds of prey in action if they go out and watch them, or they can stay inside and look at the birds in that environment.

Brown has put on this event for about 15 years and wants to show the public birds they wouldn’t normally get to see.

Attendees will learn what birds of prey are all about, he said, noting that people will get to see the “gorgeous and beautiful” birds up close and in person.

He added the falconers are very into helping people and talking to them, showing them different things.

“I enjoy the people coming and seeing and being with all the birds,” Brown said. “That’s what makes me the happiest. And they get nice meals out of it and enjoy themselves and sit around and talk.”