All of the events listed on this page are Utah events. Most of them are held
near Cedar Fort/Cedar Valley (just past Lehi). King Fredericks is usually held
up at Bear Lake and is mostly for the short-wings and broad-wings but the long
-wings are also flown too. The location for Winterfest changes but will always
be posted in plenty of time for everyone's attendance. Our big event, the Utah
Sky Trials, is held in Rush valley. However all the details are provided for
each event including addresses & directions. Sometimes places change due to
attendance and quarry to hunt and the species of birds being hunted with (i.e.
hawks vs. falcons). Listings are in chronological order for the year so CHECK
THE DATES as when an event is over I replace the day with "??" to fill in later
for the next years event.
UFA August Event:
Eyas Barbeque
When: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Where: Wines Park - Pavilion #1
500 North Center Street
Lehi, UT
Time: 6:00 p.m. to ???? Usually lasts until it is quite dark. BBQ's will
be ready at 5:00 p.m.
Fee: Free for falconers who have paid their UT Club Dues; $3 per person
otherwise and for guests of falconers that come. This is to help
pay for the soda, bottled water, condiments, paper plates, etc.
that the club supplies for the BBQ!
Comments: Come and join us for a fun filled time at the Eyas BBQ. This is
specifically designed as a get-to-gether to visit and have fun and
to show off your new bird(s) for the season and also your seasoned
bird(s). Even if you did not get a new eyas for the season, bring
your intermewed bird(s) for fun. This is a pot luck BBQ! Bring an
item to share with everyone but bring your own meat for grilling.
There are grills already set up for you to grill your meat on and
they are ready to go by the time the BBQ starts. If you're a
vegetarian, bring your Tofu or veggie burgers as well.
Directions: 
September Event:
King Frederick's Meet
When: November 4, 2011 - November 6, 2011 CANCELED - CANCELED - CANCELED
Where: Dripping Springs Campground (Flaming Gorge area, about 1 mile outside
of Little Hole. Little Hole is 7 miles below Flaming Gorge Dam off of
the Green River).
Time: All day.
Comments: The campground will put you in the middle of prime rabbit hawking,
and it is about 45 minutes to Vernal, Diamond Mountain, Manila and
Wyoming. It's very central to game, and will be a great place to have
it this year!
Depending on how many people will commit to going will determine
which campground we will use at Dripping Springs. They have several
campsites for us to choose from, however, they range in price so an
RSVP would be appreciated. For club members, camping will be free for
you and your immediate family members only. For those who are not
members of the club and wish to attend, you are more than welcome to
come and participate. The price for you to camp with us in our camp-
site will be $5 per night, per person, and need to be paid to the
club prior to camping. If you chose not to camp with the club, you
are welcome to come and participate with the festivities, but.... you
will need to camp elsewhere. The single occupant camping starts at
$17 per night.
October Event:
October Field Meet
(Formerly called Octoberfest)
When: October ??, 2011
Where: Eden Idaho (just East of Twin Falls)
Amber Inn Motel
1132 E 1000 S
Eden, ID 83325-5014
(208) 825-5200
Just of I-84, take the 182 Exit
{Everyone will simply meet at the motel each morning}
Why: This year we decided to team up with the Idaho falconers just for
fun and they have more game than Utah does!
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Comments: For questions please contact Stephen Buffat at 208-681-5495 or you
can email him at sb@idaholongwings.com
November Event:
Nothing this month!
December Event:
No event is held this month because of the Holidays!
January Event:
Winterfest
This is the information for the 10th annual Winterfest falconry event. This
event has always been a lot of fun. You don't want to miss this one.
When: January 28, 2012 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lone Peak Park Pavillion
10140 South 700 East, Sandy, UT
Cost: Winterfest is FREE BUT EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO BRING A POTLUCK FOOD
ITEM!!!!!! We will also be holding a raffle to cover all the costs
such as trophies, prizes, and plates and utensils. So PLEASE DONATE
TO THE RAFFLE IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING!
History: Winterfest started 9 years ago as a FREE public/family friendly
falconry event. It's not a “meet” or a “trial” by state definition.
It is an opportunity to fly birds, eat food, make new friends, and
share ideas. This event has grown each year and has become a fun
winter tradition. It's also to let newer falconers fly their birds
in a friendly non-lethal competition, to see old friends and make
new ones, and to see a ton of birds all together at the same place.
Winterfest is meant to be an extremely friendly and open event. The
kind of event that an apprentice or falconer-to-be can bring their
family and friends and have a positive experience.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT THIS YEARS WINTERFEST
Flights: These timed flights are a competition, but meant to be light heart-
ed and fun spirited. So PLEASE FLY YOUR BIRD! You don’t have to
worry about looking silly or being jabbed for a less than stellar
performance. That being said, if you fly, please make sure your
bird is at weight. The flight competitions will have 4 categories.
Kestrel, Red-tail, Harris hawk and “Open”. The flights are timed
flights. The falconer can choose to do the flights to the fist or
to the lure, whichever will solicit a faster response from his bird.
The “open” category is open to any species except kestrels, red-
tails, and harris hawks. The open category is new this year and is
meant as a fun way to demonstrate flights of other species.
Awards will be given in each category for fastest flights.
Please do not hesitate to fly your bird!! This is all meant in good
fun, and is supposed to cater to newer falconers. So don’t be shy.
Fly your bird!
Exhibition Flights: Anyone is welcome to present an exhibition flight if
they have something that would be beneficial for all to
see. For example in past years we have had merlins and
prairie falcons that have been stooped to the lure for
the enjoyment of all. You are welcome to share the pra-
ctice and talents of you and your bird (for the record,
if you would like to demonstrate a coopers hawk binding
to your face, we would all enjoy THAT too!) we will de-
finitely be flying an eagle and goshawk, and will prob-
ably have some merlin flights. If you want to show off
a flight feel free to volunteer. Remember this is sup-
posed to be fun.
Bird Yard: One of the best parts of this event is the bird yard. Once the
flights are over, we block and perch all the birds outside in a
large roped off area. This is a great opportunity to show off
your bird, and see a lot of other birds as well. In past years we
have let all the small birds be perched inside. This will still
be an option this year. The more birds that are their the better,
so please don't be one of those guys who thinks it's cool to NOT
bring your bird, and then stand around telling everyone about how
cool your bird is (even though you didn't bring it). EVERYONE
loves to see birds. So let everyone benefit. This is the one
event of the year that you can do this without the fear of ruin-
ing a flight, such as at the Sky Trials. The bird yard will be at
the Fairfield School House.
"Beauty Contest": Once the birds are all perched, falconers are invited to
put a small numbered sign by their bird. The guests then
vote on categories such as - Most likely to rip your head
off, Most likely to have evolved from a dinosaur, pretty-
boy award, etc. Prizes are awarded and we all have a good
laugh.
Raffle: The raffle covers the costs of trophies, ribbons, awards, utensils,
plates, etc. PLEASE bring an item to donate to the raffle, and be
willing to buy a few tickets so we can keep holding this event year
after year. Tickets will be 50 cents each.
Potluck Lunch: After the flights we hold a potluck lunch. This'll only work
out if EVERYONE brings food. Last years potluck was a HUGE
success, everyone brought great food and we all left full. So
PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND BRING SOME FOOD WITH YOU!!! We have
never charged for Winterfest and we hope that we will never
have to. The raffle and potluck are what make that possible.
Winterfest is free, and it is our hope to always keep it that
way. We will be having an indoor potluck. All food is free,
but everyone is expected to bring food! If you are going to
eat food, please see that you bring food. This event is far
more fun if the potluck is well stocked. Everybody likes to
eat. So spend a few bucks, and bring some food. Don’t cheap
out on this one. Crock pot items are especially welcome.
If you have any questions or have a way that you would like to help, please
contact me, Ben Woodruff, at Skymasterswildlife@hotmail.com
Hope to see you there!!!!!
February Event:
37th Annual Utah Sky Trials
Please click on the pic of Gerald Richards to go to the
Utah Sky Trials web site!
When: February 17 & 18, 2012
Where: Rush Valley
Time: Flights start at 9:00 a.m.
Comments: Motel: Best Western Timpanogos Inn in Lehi, UT
Located one block Southwest of Exit 282. A discounted rate
of $59.00 per night has been arranged and your birds are
welcome as usual! When you are there please make the effort
to tell the manager "thanks" for the nice discount and for
allowing our birds as pets are not allowed in motels as a
general rule so it's nice of them to let us have them for
the meet!
To get the group rate, please call 1-866-444-1218 (Toll
Free) or 1-801-768-1400 (Direct) and mention you are with
the Utah Sky Trials. Please make your reservations as soon
as you can to secure your room. It's located at 195 South
850 East in Lehi.
What: Merlin Meet
Yes, we will hold a “Merlin Meet” on Thursday, February
16th. If you are interested in flying a merlin o r other
micro falcon or hawk, drop me a note on the contact page.
All Ross with others will lead groups out to hunt with
these exciting raptors. Bring your merlin, accipiter or
any thing you want to chase small game and join us for a
day of micro falconry.
“Merlin” Meet Details:
When: Thursday February 16 and Friday February 17, 2012 at
10:00 a.m.
Where: We will meet in the lobby of the meet headquarters, the
Best Western Timpanogos Inn in Lehi, Utah. We will meet
there for a few minutes and then split up to fly.
There will most likely be those who want to fly merlins
after the Sky Trials on Saturday as well. Look for the
merlin people at the Sky Trials, and make plans with them
there.
Please let us know if you are planning to fly a bird in
the “Merlin Meet” so we can know what to expect.
What: Main Sky Trials
REGESTRATION:
GO TO THIS PAGE TO REGISTER FOR THE SKY TRIALS BEGINNING
FEBRUARY 6, 2012 AT NOON! It is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!!!
QUALIFYING FLIGHTS:
We are returning to the traditional 2 day event!
Qualifying Flights are Friday, Feb. 17th beginning at
9:00 a.m. SHARP!
FINALS FLIGHTS:
Feb. 18, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. SHARP!!!
Where: Rush Valley, same place as usual. Refer to the directions
below.
Contestant Entry Fees: Since there will only be 15 slots availab-
le for Saturday's flights, they will take
registrations ONLINE on a first come,
first served basis. The entry fee for Sat-
urday's flights will be $50 per entry.
Online registration and payment will be
available HERE on the Club Page on Feb. 6,
2012 at Noon.
Purse: 1st Place = $1000+ value (Prize is the new Marshall Lighted
RT Turbo transmitter ($575 value)
plus $500 cash award.
2nd Place = $ 350
3rd Place = $ 150
Special Awards: Special award includes the $100 Prairie
Falcon award generously donated by Frank
Welsh who was a close friend of Gerald
Richards. If a Prairie places in the top
three, they are ineligible for the Prairie
award.
Spectactor Admission Fee: $5 per person or $10 per car.
(Admission fee waived for contestants &
judges.)
Important Legal Information: For those bringing raptors from out
of state: When you get the health
certificate for your falcon, have
your veterinarian call Camille
Anderson, (Camille's hours: 8:00 am
to 5:00 pm MST) Utah Ag. Dept, phone
number 801-538-7164 for an import
permit number. Write this number on
your completed health certificate.
This health certificate and permit
number, along with your state fal-
conry license, is all you need to
import a raptor into Utah.
What: Vendors:
Like last year we'll have a large tent like we did last year.
If you are interested in sharing space in the tent to exhibit
your gear, contact the Meet Organizer, Shayne Clarke here!!!!
Just like last year, delicious food will be available at the
Sky Trials from Sean’s Smokehouse BBQ & Grill.
What: Banquet & Raffle:
There will be a banquet and raffle held on Saturday night at
7:00 p.m. Please support this. The food is great and so is
the raffle!!!
Where: Lehi Legacy Center
150 North Center Street
Lehi, UT
Price: $14 online or $15 at the door!!! PLEASE READ THIS &
follow the information!
Raffle Tickets: $1 each
Directions to the Field:
From Interstate I-15 take the Lehi exit and drive West on Utah Highway 73
through the town of Lehi.
Continue several miles to Cedar Valley and through the small towns of Cedar
Fort and Fairfield.
Continue approximately 5 miles West past Fairfield, still on Highway 73, to
the Tooele County line. Look for signs showing the Old Pony Express Route
and Faust 13, Vernon 18.
Exit Highway 73 to the left and follow the Faust Road.
Continue West for 4.3 miles into Rush Valley. If you come to the Pony Express
Monument on the right, you've gone too far.
At 4.3 miles look for a small sign with a falcon and a dirt road, turn south.
Travel 2.2 miles South to the flying field turnoff.
Please follow the yellow staked signs and please stay on the dirt road at all
times!
1Please be aware that the UFA does not actually sponsor most of these events.
The UFA specifically sponsors the Eyas BBQ and is not affiliated with the Utah
Sky Trials which is put on by Patrick Shayne. All other events listed are pro-
vided and sponsored by Ben Woodruff and his hard working friends so us Utah
falconers can have some fun together for several months each year.