Are hawks scared of humans?

[Sunshine_Chick]

Illegal to even harass a BOP in the USA....but one could probably play dumb if you ever got caught.

I would think one or two randomly shot into the air would be fine, but would it deter them? A multitude of rockets directed at them may be interpreted as harassment.

 

[Willowspirit]

Illegal to even harass a BOP in the USA....but one could probably play dumb if you ever got caught.

Where we are bottle rockets are illegal because they are fire hazards. So you might get charged for the bottle rocket AND harassing the hawk.

 

[Willowspirit]

When the peregrine attacked our quail we weren’t there but just a little later eh realized we had quail missing and then saw the falcon perched nearby. He easily chased it away and we haven’t seen it since. We also put stuff where it had perched so it can’t sit there and watch.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Again, for most birds of prey harassment is not only legal, it's a prerequisite for being allowed to apply to have them removed. So if you can shoot bottle rockets near it without getting in trouble, feel free.

Bottle rockets are also illegal in my suburb. So not an option here.

 

[Popcorntheduck]

My last duck was killed by a hawk 5 min after we let her out of her pen. We were in the kitchen maybe 10 feet away with the back door open. One of the large dogs saw the hawk and went out barking, the hawk flew away but it was too late It happened SO fast, and we lived in a suburban lake town with a small back yard surrounded by other houses on all sides. I’d never even seen a hawk until then.
I’m constantly on the look out for hawks when I have my current duck out in the yard, and so is he thankfully, he saw a vulture in the sky and immediately took cover (so proud!) but I never let him go more than a few feet from me now. I also have 3 tiny dogs so I worry about them as well.

 

[Apis mellifera]

While tossing my chickens some scratch grains a peregrine came at me eye level. I felt the whoosh as he passed my head to grab a hen. Fortunately in all the excitement it was a failed attempt. It happened so fast and my chanteclers became aware well before me. I was surprised at how my presence was no deterrent at all. They are wise to birds of prey and have lots of close cover to run to when free ranging. Having barns, small out buildings and quick easy access to the coop makes a big difference.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

The cops here have enough to do with all the random shootings & unsolved murders. A couple of bottle rockets will not bring the police.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Not here. They have quotas to meet so they spend all their time issuing parking citations, speeding tickets and harassing teenagers breaking curfew. Plenty of room to go investigate a bottle rocket. I'd super get the cops called for a bottle rocket.

But that doesn't mean they (the bottle rockets) won't chase off a hawk. Just people don't very well.

The dogs are a little scarier to the hawks (medium sized animals 40-60lbs) but even that's not great.
We lose a couple chickens to hawks every year. Can't cover my pen.

 

[Runner duck mom]

It's amazing to see how brave hawks can be in the presence of humans, thank you for all your help and replies.
I wish I could bring the dogs out with us as well but we don't trust them with the ducks either, they are well behaved while they are in their run but loose in the yard is much too tempting.
Our ducks dont really need to come out, they have a big enough run with a pool. Just did the math and their run is about 115sf for 3 ducks. If anything short, heavily monitered trips in the yard.
We plan on building them a bigger setup soon so we can sit with them in their secure area if we want.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Didn’t Nifty Chickens daughter get injured by a hawk that went after her chicken? Can’t remover the details! And maybe 4 or so years back another member had to go to the emergency room for protecting their duck from a hawk attack.