A huge hawk is terrorizing my chickens!!!

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I know. I did not say I was going to let him.

It is a class B misdemeanor, I would equate serious to felony.

OP you should wear a hat if the hawk is brazen, they have attacked people and caused serious head injuries. If the hawk dives on you or a family member notify Fish and Wildlife and they will either dispatch the hawk or direct you to get a permit to do it yourself. Killing a hawk is not easy though, they roost and patrol at altitudes outside of shotgun range. And one must be a extremely good shot to hit one on a dive at over 200mph.

Last time I checked the Migratory Birds Treaty Act, it could be a felony, depending on the specific circumstances, requiring jail time as well as a $ multi-thousand fine. That's pretty severe to me. There is currently a new bill (passed the house) that significantly increases the penalties.

 

[jimmythechicken]

i haad a hawk take my huge 4 year old leghorn rooster 4 years ago once the find your bird they will pick them off one at a time. there is not much you can do with hawks they have no preditors so they are scared of very little you can try shinny stuff on the coop i have heard that scarecrows will work but nothing beats a covered run.you can buy cheap deer netting at homedepot that is 20$ for 100ft by 7ft an it works fine i have had no problems sence i have covered them up.goodluck

 

[suzannaski]

It's interesting that in MA you are permitted to shoot a dog (pet or otherwise) if it threatens or kills your livestock. I don't know if it says anything about wildlife. We have so many inconsistent laws. You are also required by law to stop and help/report if you hit a dog with your car and you can be fined if you don't; but if you hit a loose horse or other livestock, you don't have to stop. Furthermore, the horse/livestock owner is required to pay for the damage to your vehicle in addition to vet bills.
Suffice it to say that wildlife lovers and dog lovers have had more favor showered upon them by our state lawmakers than farmers have had.

 

[bigdaddyabc]

Quote:
It is a class B misdemeanor, I would equate serious to felony.

OP you should wear a hat if the hawk is brazen, they have attacked people and caused serious head injuries. If the hawk dives on you or a family member notify Fish and Wildlife and they will either dispatch the hawk or direct you to get a permit to do it yourself. Killing a hawk is not easy though, they roost and patrol at altitudes outside of shotgun range. And one must be a extremely good shot to hit one on a dive at over 200mph.

Last time I checked the Migratory Birds Treaty Act, it could be a felony, depending on the specific circumstances, requiring jail time as well as a $ multi-thousand fine. That's pretty severe to me. There is currently a new bill (passed the house) that significantly increases the penalties.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act covers Bald and Golden eagles and MIGRATORY birds. Hawks (generally) are NOT migratory they are territorial, nor are they Bald Eagles, hence the name Hawk. Call your LOCAL game warden. Ask if hawks and more specifically any species are protected. We have several species, but only one is protected and it is pretty small. If the hawk isn't protected, your chickens should be. If the rope doesn't get it done, and it is legal, I suggest a 12 guage shotgun loaded with #2 or 4 shot. The shot that doesn't hit the bird should drop harmlessly back the ground.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
Last time I checked the Migratory Birds Treaty Act, it could be a felony, depending on the specific circumstances, requiring jail time as well as a $ multi-thousand fine. That's pretty severe to me. There is currently a new bill (passed the house) that significantly increases the penalties.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act covers Bald and Golden eagles and MIGRATORY birds. Hawks (generally) are NOT migratory they are territorial, nor are they Bald Eagles, hence the name Hawk. Call your LOCAL game warden. Ask if hawks and more specifically any species are protected. We have several species, but only one is protected and it is pretty small. If the hawk isn't protected, your chickens should be. If the rope doesn't get it done, and it is legal, I suggest a 12 guage shotgun loaded with #2 or 4 shot. The shot that doesn't hit the bird should drop harmlessly back the ground.

The shotgun is safe used properly, but I suggest they contact a professional. State game wardens may do the job for them if asked and it is explained the nature of the attacks. I started my career in law enforcement and we dispatched any wildlife that was considered a danger to people especially children. The technique used was to pin a dead rat to a fence post and wait for the hawk to land and eat. The hawk is then picked off from concealment with a high caliber rifle.

I understand peoples love for wildlife and the hawk in particular, and I know the law, now it could have changed recently and I will research that. But folks lets not get off on the "your going to jail forever talk", for defending your family and property. There has been rulings in the supreme court upholding a persons right to break a law to protect their own. SCOTUS decisions outweigh migratory bird regulations and high emotions.

 

[bigdaddyabc]

Quote:
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act covers Bald and Golden eagles and MIGRATORY birds. Hawks (generally) are NOT migratory they are territorial, nor are they Bald Eagles, hence the name Hawk. Call your LOCAL game warden. Ask if hawks and more specifically any species are protected. We have several species, but only one is protected and it is pretty small. If the hawk isn't protected, your chickens should be. If the rope doesn't get it done, and it is legal, I suggest a 12 guage shotgun loaded with #2 or 4 shot. The shot that doesn't hit the bird should drop harmlessly back the ground.

The shotgun is safe used properly, but I suggest they contact a professional. State game wardens may do the job for them if asked and it is explained the nature of the attacks. I started my career in law enforcement and we dispatched any wildlife that was considered a danger to people especially children. The technique used was to pin a dead rat to a fence post and wait for the hawk to land and eat. The hawk is then picked off from concealment with a high caliber rifle.

I understand peoples love for wildlife and the hawk in particular, and I know the law, now it could have changed recently and I will research that. But folks lets not get off on the "your going to jail forever talk", for defending your family and property. There has been rulings in the supreme court upholding a persons right to break a law to protect their own. SCOTUS decisions outweigh migratory bird regulations and high emotions.

Amen and AMEN.

 

[NellaBean]

I had a relatively small hawk attack a chicken recently. It was a white leghorn/jersey giant cross....white with black spots.....about the size of an orp or rock. She was wearing a saddle and it saved her......I was outside and heard the squawking......by the time I got up the hill to see what the problem was, I witnessed the hawk fly up into a short tree and then back across the yard. The chicken came running over to me relatively unscathed. No injuries except a big hole ripped in the saddle she was wearing. Phew.

The same hawk has flown over the yard a few times since but not made any actual stops. I have lots of small birds and babies.....not sure what i'll do if it starts attacking again. Not sure why it HASN'T so far. I do have LOTS of roosters....

 

[sourland]

If you doubt the seriousness of killing hawks and the repercussions, search "Operation High Roller". It is a federal, not a state, offense and fines are significant and jail time a strong possibility. These Birmingham roller pigeon fanciers underestimated the impact of this law. Don't make the same mistake. The penalties are real, and we are being watched as this sting proves.

 

[can't get enough chicken]

I'll be careful my chickens have a top to their run but sometimes i let them just rome the backyard.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Agents of both state and federal can and have taken nuisance predators. It is also legal to kill a hawk to protect from personal injury with NO permit. But to be clear it is LEGAL to kill hawks with a federal permit, and if the OP or any person with a problem that has met the requirements can apply for a permit and it will be afforded them. Once hawks attack dogs and dive on people they should be removed as soon as possible, and most times state game wardens will, with the blessing of the federal government, accommodate if the situation is serious.

Most wildlife fines are not even close to $15,000, they are usually in the area of $500, and highly unlikely of any jail time let alone six months. Still not worth it but it is still a misdemeanor, not a felony. The government sorts crimes and offenses by the circumstances and seriousness. It is also responsible for property damage caused by a protected species, though it would cost more to take them to court to get it than it is usually worth.

Other crimes and offenses are treated the same in the eyes of the federal government. One example is the rather broad federal law of internet harassment which is a felony punishable by up to 2 years incarceration. The wording of the law would make almost any disagreement over the internet a offense, but honestly the feds do not have the money or will to enforce such stupidity only the most extreme of cases. There is a wide berth of when and how a individual is treated by the circumstances. IMO anybody advocating 6 months of jail for talking about measures including contacting wardens to help with a problem may need to step back and take a deep breath.