Could taking pictures of local wild birds help to prove a point. I dont know if you want a kessie or red tail first, but actual size of the animal is important to some people. So they can see that it wont fly off with fluffy. espically if you want a kessie, it wont even fly off with tweety.
espically if you want a kessie, it wont even fly off with tweety.
LOL, I don't know if you want to promise that. I had a little male that took a common grackle, and a female that wanted to, but I wouldn't let her.
It could be cool if you could find falconers with either a redtail or kessie that could show up with their bird, though. If they get to see close up what their agreeing to... people generally like something better after getting to know it on a more personal level.
Post by Morganeagle on May 6, 2008 13:01:14 GMT -5
well all I have revised my letter to the Board to get my code and zoning variance as well as written a letter for my surrounig neighbors to sign stating the know and understand about me becomming a falconer and they have no objections to me housing 1 possibly 2 BOP. I want to thank all of you deeply for the advice and support, I know words will never be enough to show how thankful I truely am. I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
Post by Morganeagle on May 13, 2008 5:32:02 GMT -5
Well I am going in today to the zoning board to turn in all the paperwork and appliation. The will notify me when the public hearing is but it looks like ti won't be until at least June 23rd.
Post by Morganeagle on May 28, 2008 20:17:03 GMT -5
Update on my Zoning issues..... the town has thrown a new twist into the mix that I have to figure out. I have to have the interpitation of the law changed to have a BOP conciderd a pet which I don't agree with they are not pets, but to get any further I guess I am going to have toconvince them some how that it's not a "pet" but would cause no harm to the community or my neighbors.
What happened? Who suggested the whole "Pet" theory? Seriously, a BOP will never be considered a pet so don't waste your time with that aspect. Did you have a rep from the DNR (Dept Nat. Resources) w/you for the presentation? Your sponsor? Did you ask the board what they're doing to protect you and your neighbors from the wild BOP if they have reservations about you possessing?
Sounds like you got an uphill battle. If it was me I'd get my hawk and force the issue, IF it even became one.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Last Edit: May 29, 2008 23:49:16 GMT -5 by jballone
Post by Morganeagle on May 30, 2008 13:13:20 GMT -5
The village brought up the whole "pet" thory. I don't have a sponsor yet I haven't even taken the test yet lol. this whole mess got started when I went for the building permit. When the town found out what it was for then I got into this battle. My public hearing won't be till the end of June so I'm hoping to gather more info and possibly some letters from the state and the NYSFA.
Contact your local representative from the Dept of Natural Resources, either a Conservation Officer and/or Biologist. Let them know of your plight and see if they can attend the hearing or at the very least write a letter in regards to BOP in the wild and how they do not attack women, children & pets. They can also address the whole pet issue and if the board tries talking about exotic pets, remind them that the hawk is a local species, common in most neighborhoods and go unnoticed.
Are there any falconers nearby that can come and speak?
Also, I would determine what the boards concerns are. Is it that they feel the hawk/mews would be detrimental to the appearance of the neighborhood? The mews can be as attractive as a shed and we both know they issue permits for them. Are they afraid for public safety? If so, what are they & the local law enforcement agency doing to protect the public from attacks...nothing because it doesn't happen.
These are all issues which have been addressed in the past in communities throughout the US.
Finally, I know were I live I did not need a building permit unless my structure was 100 sq/ft or more. A standard sized mews is usually less than that, so double check your building code/zoning to verify you actually need a building permit.
Seriously, if it was me, I would get a permit (IF NEEDED) and tell them I'm building a shed (8x8ft) and then build the darn thing. You won't have a hawk for a while and hopefully they'll forget about it. Make sure no windows face the road so they can't see inside. (obviously, a conservation officer will inspect the mews after it's completed but until there's a BOP in it, there's no need for people to be coming on your property after the inspection and BEFORE the hawk is in it). Not only that, as far as I can tell, the only reason law enforcement should be on your property is for a mews inspection and/or report of animal neglect.
Post by Morganeagle on Jun 20, 2008 5:19:14 GMT -5
Here's an update on my battle with the town. Looks like I will be going infront of the village board on july 14th. I will have to have the village code either changed or have an amendment added to the current code allowing me to house a BOP on my property. because they are not "common" household pets. I'll try to update you as I can.
Here's and update ,sorry it's been a little while. I go infront of the board monday the 14th at 7pm for a public hearing. I have gotten letters signed by all my surrounding neighbors stating they have no problems with us housing BOP on our property and letters from the DEC stating that my being a falconer causes no threat to the community. I also drew up rough plans of what we are planning to do with our garage to convert it over to mews as well as some pictures of RT's both in the neighborhood and a couple falconer's birds. I'll try to post monday or tuesday night to let you all know how it went.
as well as some pictures of RT's both in the neighborhood
I think this is the key! Good job with the pics.
Remind the board that your hawk will NEVER be loose in the neighborhood, ie, always under lock and key or tethered & under your control, doesn't smell & isn't noisy. I think this is a case of "fear of the unknown" with the board.
maybe you could get pics of you sponsors mews and show the double door feature and use that to your advantage about how its regulated to be as safe as it can be for the bird and in turn it helps keep the bird in your control?