Post by Morganeagle on Mar 14, 2009 9:19:19 GMT -5
Hello Everyone, sorry it has been a while since I have been on I had a lot going on in my personal life. Well enough babbling I have to appear before the board again Yay me lol. They still have not made a decision on my mews so more fighting. I found a sponsor and plan on hopefully taking the exam in april. I will keep you all posted my hearing with the board will be april 13th.
Post by Morganeagle on Mar 30, 2009 20:18:55 GMT -5
Heelo all......I finnaly got news from the the village board. They have denied changing the laws to allow me to house a bird of prey on my property. I took the time today and contacted each member to see what thier concerns were and what information they would like to hear that might overturn thier decision. I found another falconer from the area that had the same issues and went to that town and got all the information from his hearing to show a nearby community instead of changing the town laws issued a special use permit. So on the 13th of April I will be going back before the board to try again. I'll post as I get more info.
In Pennsylvania you have to have a letter from your township allowing you to house a bird of prey and to practice falconry. I had to send the letter attached to my test application to the game commission. So in some states you can't just live under the radar.
I was fortunate enough to have an easy time with my township.
Post by Morganeagle on Apr 13, 2009 18:56:35 GMT -5
Here's an update for everyone.... I went infront of my local village board this evening. the general view was that this time I presented better information as well as notes from another loal communtiy where a fellow falconer went through the same difficulties which thet said will be very useful in thier decision. So on that note I willl post again when I hear anything.
I'm having the very same problem. I will try to appeal their ruling asap. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with the Louisiana laws involving the mews, but if anyone is the only other suitable housing my sponsor could tell me about was a jump box. To be blunt, even if I manage to overturn their ignorant ruling would a jump box pass the inspection part of this? Help.
I must say that this board has been a great help to me as I too have run into a "snag" in Pearland, TX. I've drafted a preliminary presentation and am in the process of having 3 falconers review it and make suggestions.
I should add that I have a sponsor, and I have applied to the state of Texas for my apprentice permit. I have not yet built a mew or taken the test. Hopefully I'll get all of this sorted out in time to trap a bird...
Today I received the letter from our HA's Architectural Committee granting the permit to build my hawk house.
To make matters even better, the Animal Control Advisory Committee for the city of Pearland is going to recommend to the City Council an amendment to allow the keeping of raptors within the city limits.
It has been a wee bit of a haul, given all of the family matters that happened too, but the past 4 months have been kind. My advice to others who may be in the same situation that I was is to get out there and change whatever ordinances need to be changed. It can be done. This way you're not looking over your shoulder all of the time. You can truly enjoy your hawk
Good luck and good hunting,
Cliff.
Cliff. J. “May the best you’ve ever seen, Be the worst you’ll ever see,” From A Scots Toast by Allan Ramsay
I guess I don't understand the situation. I built a mews in my fenced backyard. 8' by 12'. Small enough not to need a permit. Sponsor, test, inspection, trapped bird sitting in mews. Not exactly that fast, but it happened. I recieved a letter from city council (1800 pop.) informing me I had neglected to ask them if I could keep a dangerous animal in city limits.
I sent them a letter from Fish & Game stating what mews requirements were. They told me I had to "dispose" of the bird and then ask them nicely.
I told them that I was licenced through the state and federal govt. and that trumped any concerns they had.
They had Animal Control call me for an inspection and consfication. I am on first name basis with him and most other police officers in two counties and told him to come on over, I'd put on a pot of cofffee.
Another letter from city council informing me of my transgressions and how they were going to make their own inspection at their convience.
I wrote them a letter reminding them of my statis as licenced falconer and if they wanted to step foot on my property they had better bring a warrant. I'm also on first name basis with county procecutor and he told them not to bother him or me with silly nonsense.
Too late for short story, but a change at election time and I am doing volunteer dog behavior work with a new council member and bring my bird into city office from time to time for the ladies to admire.
I was lucky there was no H.O.A. or whatever. Neighbors all know I have a bird. One calls his grandkids over when I have him out front or loading into pick-up. I pick up trash and after dogs at city park without them asking. I like walking my dog there and I hate litter.
City workers thank me and ask me how the bird is doing. Just fine, thank you very much.
The reasons for most of the concerns that falconers are continuously confronted by basically boil down to two.
First is simply a lack of valid information about raptors and falconry. Second is that many city ordinances are supplied by outside, ill-informed sources that give or sell a cookbook-style manual of city ordinances which each city can then amend as the need arises. Many cities use these "cookbook ordinances" as they are often offered free of charge to members of various city "clubs" or organizations (dare I say "unions"?).
Our job as falconers and hawkers is obviously two-fold. First we have to educate the ignorant to the fact that the U.S. government does not consider raptors to be "dangerous wildlife". As I pointed out to our city Animal Advisory Committee, our State bird in Texas is the mockingbird. The U.S. Department of Parks & Wildlife Services has more complaints about aggressive mockingbirds than they do hawks - I even found a quote online to this effect. Second, we need to go in fully prepared and offer a simple amendment change to allow raptors to be cared for within the city limits.
Somewhere on this forum I've posted a draft of what I presented to the Pearland, TX, Animal Advisory Committee. If you would like the revised copy which was used, let me know, and I'll send you one.
There is nothing worse, IMO, than officious city servants trying to wield their power against falconers for possessing a "dangerous animal" within the city limits. I know as I ran into one of these. Fortunately she did not prevali. My suggestion to you is that you work to get your city's animal control ordinances amended. Considering that you know many of the the improtant city officials in town, it should be relatively easy. You will be doing future falconers a big favor too. Then you won't have to be looking over your shoulder each time there is a "changing of the guard" in city hall.
Peace of mind is a wonderful possession Don't let someone take that away from you.
Good luck and good hunting,
Cliff.
Cliff. J. “May the best you’ve ever seen, Be the worst you’ll ever see,” From A Scots Toast by Allan Ramsay
Post by talonsgrip22 on May 12, 2015 21:17:55 GMT -5
After eight long months of back and forth HOA-hole red tape, I finally got approval for my 10' x 8' x 8' high slant roof mews. It took letters from Charlie Kaiser and Bill Bonni to convice the HOA that a hawk poses less threat to people than your average small dog. What a mess. I'm just glad that the mew size and two hawk allowance is settled.
That is why I will not live in a subdivision. I stay out in the country away from nosy neighbors. Glad it all worked out for you!
“Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I’m not perfect and do not live to be; but before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.” ~Bob Marley