Post by trentomous on May 26, 2010 12:49:15 GMT -5
I in know way plan to do this, but just consider the following.....
would it be illegal to develop a relationship with a raptor as long as it is never trapped, contained, or exposed to a situation where it was unable to fly away freely, then train it under these conditions and hunt with it? (no jesses or devices that may restrain the bird during any point in time, so that if it ever decided, it could fly away)
I thought of this because every single day a Cooper's Hawk hunts from a tree in my backyard. At one point a few days ago, it allowed me to get close enough where i could touch it with a fishing rod. (i did not though, i respect the bird way to much to ever do anything like that).
Its just a funny thought i guess, a way which someone could get around the law?
You could certainly flush for wild raptors, it is not illegal. However, I doubt you'd be able to do much more than flush game for the bird, to get the bird to fly down to you would be impossible.
Sage - Female American Kestrel 2008 -------------------------------------------- Zephyr - Female Red Tail 2008-2010 -------------------------------------------- Saffron - Female American Kestrel 2009-2010
Post by profalconer on May 26, 2010 13:58:56 GMT -5
I plan on tossing homers to some young peregrines this year. I'm hoping to have them in a routine of coming to chase my pigeons before they migrate out of their parents territory.
Its just a funny thought i guess, a way which someone could get around the law?
Okay, I’ll play devils advocate here. The common definition of falconry is something like “the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor”. What it sounds like you want to do is train a wild raptor to tolerate you so you can get it to hunt with you. I would say that fits the definition of falconry. It is not the type of falconry I practice but if you get an over zealous law enforcement officer they may see it as falconry and may see the need for a permit.
That being said, it sounds like you are in a pretty cool situation with the bird. Enjoy it and get a camera out and get us some pictures.
Post by forestfalcon on May 27, 2010 12:49:16 GMT -5
You have to also take in to consideration that while you might interpret it as a harmless interaction with wildlife, a Wildlife Officer might consider it harassment of wildlife...
Besides, it is highly unlikely that you will get this bird to trust you/ bond with you. If you are throwing out food for it, or flushing game for it, it would really just be a glorified version of feeding the pigeons in the park. It's not falconry.
Last Edit: May 27, 2010 12:51:35 GMT -5 by forestfalcon
"We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?" -Bloc Party
Post by trentomous on May 28, 2010 19:00:55 GMT -5
I want to do falconry but i cannot in my current situation. I dont want to touch this bird or even get too close. I just remember reading somewhere the actual definition of a "captive" raptor for which permits will be required. I remember that it said something about anything preventing the bird from leaving on its own free will. I plan on taking the test sometime this year and work to get eligible (and prepared) to house a raptor someime in the next two years.
There is nothing illegal about what you propose. Enjoy watching wild hawks by all means and get as much out of the experience as you can. I pitch pigeons for wild prairies all the time - good for them, fun to watch. There is a fellow here that runs sighthounds at hares. He had this female prairie come in all the time and follow the dogs. She started hitting the hares with the dogs in pursuit all by herself. He trapped her and flew her in the same manner she had already been flying - with the dogs on hares. Then he released her. Over a year later, he can show up in his coursing field and within 10 minutes or so, here she comes. Apparently she doesn't even eat the hares she kills - he leaves one for her every time, but she appears to simply enjoy the action. No harm done, carry on.
Last Edit: Jul 29, 2010 13:46:30 GMT -5 by fairchase