Hawk ripped the head off my rooster today

[sourland]

I didn't know hawks were protected. Is it just some species of hawks or all hawks?

I would think that you could still shoot a hawk if you caught the hawk in the act of eating your chicken.

You could shoot it, but not legally. All predatory birds are federally protected - $15,000 + fines plus the possibility of imprisonment for killing them.

 

[cravenchx]

SSS!

 

[chigger bait]

That is why he got paid the big bucks.

To walk point and protect the flock.

 

[chikinfarmr]

sourland is right. I looked up the federal regulation. You can't harm any hawk. I have had problems with them as well. Sorry for your loss.

 

[bloom chicks]

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that your children are ok.

 

[Kristy's Kluckers]

I say, shoot them anyway. If you can shoot an intruder on your property you certainly should be justified for shooting an intruder animal!

 

[dainerra]

I say, shoot them anyway. If you can shoot an intruder on your property you certainly should be justified for shooting an intruder animal!

jail time, $15000 in fines, losing your right to own firearms, the list goes on. Is it really worth it?

 

[HIS Paintbrush]

Well i used to work in law enforcement in Pittsburgh and we didn't have many hawks. I would've let you slide in this matter but but the DNR generally is stricter and more severe on punishment for offenses towards animals than we were on offenses towards other human beings. Personally if it happened on my property, that hawk would be blown to pieces. If you kept it quite and you were just protecting your lively hood it shouldn't be a big deal. well these are those government created jobs, they gotta give someone something to do.

 

[bj taylor]

my chicken run doesn't have a top on it. when my chicks are big enough to go outside - i sure hope that isn't their fate. really sorry for your children's trauma

 

[sourland]

I say, shoot them anyway. If you can shoot an intruder on your property you certainly should be justified for shooting an intruder animal!

Do a search on 'Operation High Roller' a federal sting operation with an undercover agent and all that infiltrated a Birmingham roller organization with members doing exactly as you recommend. See what it cost them, and where they ended up. I understand the frustration with raptors - they have basically forced me out of flying pigeons.