Hawk NEST in MY YARD! What to do?

[Boyd]

Quote:
Harassing birds protected by the Migratory Birds Treaty Act is also illegal.

One option that can be explored is contacting a falconry organization and seeing if they have anyone licensed for Coopers (or whatever hawk one has living nearby) that would be willing to take it. There are a TON of very specific rules they must follow, but ... it's possible that everyone would benefit.

but if the OP were to water their tree, or spray it for Japanese beetles... Perhaps the hawk may find it a less than appealing place. If no eggs or chicks yet, perhaps it could be persuaded to move on? Propane cannon me thinks

 

[95yj]

Quote:
Harassing birds protected by the Migratory Birds Treaty Act is also illegal.

One option that can be explored is contacting a falconry organization and seeing if they have anyone licensed for Coopers (or whatever hawk one has living nearby) that would be willing to take it. There are a TON of very specific rules they must follow, but ... it's possible that everyone would benefit.

its only illegal if you get caught...

 

[beachchickie]

Cooper's are bad news. They are fast and hard hitting and powerful. I have had them land in a tree 5 ft above my head and just watch my flock with 3 adults standing there. Finally just flew off and did not return. They are migrating this time of year and hungry. Lock them up until the family moves on. They will be back next year. You may not be in a migration pattern. I don't know about California.

 

[NC29mom]

We had a HUGE hawk eyeing our chickens last night.

Sorry, I am not a criminal, I am an ideal citizen, BUT I would shoot a hawk, and I realize it's illegal.

The thing is, you keep your mouth shut. you tell noone.

Sorry if that makes you think bad of me, but I think A WHOLE LOT of my birds and I would be devestated if something happened to them. I have been letting them out for weeks now. I can't just all of a sudden start making them stay in the coop. Like another poster said, A life in a coop is no life. My chickens LIVE to free range.

calling the wildlife whatever is only going to bring unwanted attention to your problem. They really don't have time to worry with "little problems" as I am sure they would interpret yours as. It's definitely not the route i would take.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!

Best of luck to you and your chickens.

 

[7L Farm]

Personally, I would do whatever it takes to protect my chickens.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Harassing birds protected by the Migratory Birds Treaty Act is also illegal.

One option that can be explored is contacting a falconry organization and seeing if they have anyone licensed for Coopers (or whatever hawk one has living nearby) that would be willing to take it. There are a TON of very specific rules they must follow, but ... it's possible that everyone would benefit.

its only illegal if you get caught...

No, it's illegal; period. There is a penalty only if one is caught. There is a difference.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
As was noted a post or two above yours, many hawks are migratory. If you have not seen them around before, there is a very good chance that they are merely passing through, and were making a fast food stop. Sorry

Keep them locked up for a few days to a week to see if the hawk returns. If not, then you can let them out again. Yes, they WANT to be outsied, but sometimes I want to be somewhere that I cannot be for one reason or another. Keeping them locked up for a few days will not kill them. Letting them loose while a hawk patrols your yared will.

edited cause I can't type worth a darn...I really DO know how to spell

 

[crperdue]

copy/pasted from website:
However, some states choose not to enforce those additions under the
determination that these birds represent predator class birds which can have
devastating effects on farm crops, livestock and poultry, and on the eggs or
young of other wildlife.


With what I have been told by our wildlife officers, I guess i'm in a state that does
let me protect my property. Doesn't matter for me anyway, I had to pen all my
birds up because I would have to stand out there 24/7 to protect them myself.
My problem was owls and stray dogs.

 

[CaliBlueChicken]

Quote:
I know this is not a funny situation but your use of the smilies "I was like..." made me laugh

creative... I like!

 

[CaliBlueChicken]

Darn! I think the hawk that just got my chicken yesterday was either a Cooper or a Northern Harrier. My husband said it was perched on one of the short trees out back... and also at another time on top of our run!!!!!! When I saw it fly away I saw bands of white and black on its tail and a lighter underbelly.