See, that is what I get for trying to use "Big Words" For some reason I can't get it thru my hard head the definition of passage vs haggard. I usually use the terms immature/mature and juvenile/adult. Sorry if I started anything. But, she appears to be an immature, juvenile (passage right?) And yes, haggards can be taken, although I can't tell you the specifics on who and where without double checking the regs.
I could be wrong, but I think Tytan was sincerely posting that as a question, or an area worth clarifying. Let's not rip his head off now, Snafu. Hope for the best BEFORE we assume the worst.
I think we should all have to address each other by our screen names in real life...
I was just flipping thru the Illinois Regs and could 't find the part about hags, although I remember reading it. Can anyone else in IL find it and post the section it is listed under? Now I am curious as to exactly what it says. I thought it was listed in the Fed Regs too.
On the top of page 8 of this link (online falconry regs for IL) it says:
"A permittee in possession of a valid "Capture Permit" may capture raptors of a non-prohibited species or subspecies. The capture season for immature raptors capable of flight (passage) and adult (haggard) kestrels and great horned owls shall be between September 1 and January 31"
I found a little more info... On top of page 6, under the description of Apprentice Class, it says "Permittees may possess only a passage American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, or red-shouldered hawk taken from the wild in accordance with federal regulations"
But, besides the part you found about trapping, I can't find any other mention of adult (haggard) kestrels and who can possess them.
Then again, it isn't as easy to tell the difference in kestrel ages (compared to red-tails) so how exactly do they regulate that?
I have no idea as to how they could regulate that. I bet most DNR people couldn't tell. I guess you would have to ask the DNR about the wording though...
I found a little more info... On top of page 6, under the description of Apprentice Class, it says "Permittees may possess only a passage American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, or red-shouldered hawk taken from the wild in accordance with federal regulations;
But, besides the part you found about trapping, I can't find any other mention of adult (haggard) kestrels and who can possess them.
Then again, it isn't as easy to tell the difference in kestrel ages (compared to red-tails) so how exactly do they regulate that?
Because most CPOs have difficulty identifying the age of GHOs and Kestrels by plumage, the DNR allowed for (regulated) the possession of haggards of the two species. It wasn't for the falconer's benefit that they did that. It's basically the DNR's acknowledgment that their CPOs don't know what they're looking at. I say this in the nicest way. ;D
The term PASSAGE applies to birds that are on migration. Apprentices can only take birds from the wild from Sept.1 to Jan 31, so every bird they trap will be a passager. By fall, some HY kestrels may have the appearance of a much older bird i.e. dark orange crusty fleshy parts, worn/bleached feathers, etc. So, it's sometimes hard to tell their true age - especially for someone with little bird handling experience (most apprentices & CPOs).
As you mentioned, 1590.80(a) limits the apprentice specifically to only a Red-tail, or a Kestrel, or a Red-shouldered (from another state or by transfer). GHOs are not included on the species-specific list for apprentices. Therefore, apprentices can't possess them. General and Master class falconers can have them, according to 1590.80 c1.
I personally don't know why anyone would want a GHO for falconry. Don't get me wrong... I think they're cool birds. But they're not the brightest bulb in the box, and most are very uncooperative. But, to each his own.
Hi, my name is Dan. I'm in Joliet IL, the city, not the prison. I'm looking for local falconers to learn from.
Welcome Dan. I know Joliet well. I was formerly from south Naperville, and used to hunt the Louie Joliet Mall back lots for years (before they expanded). I head east to Plainfield to go hawking with friends on occasion too. More details about yourself, please.
If interested in learning falconry basics in a more structured way, visit www.soar-inc.org and sign up for our seminars in April.