Hawks and owls...protected

[mom'sfolly]

This topic keeps coming up...how to keep hawks and owls from predating your chickens. Usually someone suggest shooting. Hawks and owls are federally protected, and cannot be legally shot. States are not allowed to regulate this. Here is the link for those who are interested. http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/mbta/mbtintro.html
This is a listing of protected birds by species. If you choose to shoot these birds, you are taking a risk.

Karen

 

[MTchick]

I'd like to augment this post with a little extra info. There are absolutely exceptions granted to the International Migratory Bird Treaty Act. However, you have to apply for, and get, a special permit that allows you to shoot a single bird that is depredating your livestock. Otherwise you are risking huge fines, jail time, and the knowledge that you violated one of the only universally accepted international conservation treaties in the world.

Just as mom'sfolly said, you can't legally shoot any bird of prey... without a properly issued permit and the appropriate justification, which exempts you from this international treaty.

This is basically the same as all other protected species- you can kill them with a really good reason and a permit. Here in Montana, this issue comes up constantly because we have grizzly bears, cougars, bald eagles, golden eagles, and grey wolves. If you shoot any of these things without a permit and you cannot prove that it was a legitimate emergency (like actively attacking your livestock or directly endangering your welfare) you are in big trouble.

-MTchick