How to get a permit to kill a hawk? *graphic photos*

[hayley3]

I just recently lost most of my flock after 7 yrs of free ranging so I understand your grief in that they are losing their ability to wander freely and enjoy the sunshine. Mine are currently only allowed in another section of the barn...(I only have 3 left They free ranged with goats which I believed protected them a lot.

However now, even when I'm home, I'm afraid to let them out. I am their protector, and I promised them they would not have to be afraid again after the massacre. Although they are not lap chickens, they are my responsibility and are little creatures who depend on me, esp since I raised them from babies.
When summer arrives I plan on getting some electric poutry netting to allow them to free range only when I'm home. I also have a baby monitor outside, so I can hear.

When I first started, I killed raccoon after raccoon after raccoon. I finally got tired of the killing and realized, it would be less stressful on me, if I just made sure their coop was secure and nothing could get in. Of course that didn't apply to free ranging. But you kill one predator, another one is waiting to take their place.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

I have locked my birds up.

 

[hayley3]

I forgot to say, I see hawks flying all over the place here, even crows chasing hawks but not once has a hawk came to my barn or pasture. I have a large goat and two pygmy goats...I wonder if hawks are afraid of them.

 

[duluthralphie]

I forgot to say, I see hawks flying all over the place here, even crows chasing hawks but not once has a hawk came to my barn or pasture. I have a large goat and two pygmy goats...I wonder if hawks are afraid of them.

I have only lost one bird to a hawk that I know of, Eagles cause me grief. I have a lot of crows around here I thin the crows keep the hawks away, they torment them mercilessly. Eagles are another story.

 

[R3dnck]

I would say contact your local DNR. In South Carolina you cant kill a bird of prey under any circumstances its a federal offense. But DNR officers may be able to capture and relocate it for you.

 

[chiro1]

I agree to start with DNR, just looked in IN you can use harassment techniques but must get approval before lethal measures are used. I have no chickens yet but hoping to learn and get some this spring after moving. Great site

 

[centrarchid]

Most capturing and relocating efforts likely to involve federal wildlife people rather than state. Most such I am aware involves moving raptors away from airports.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I just recently lost most of my flock after 7 yrs of free ranging so I understand your grief in that they are losing their ability to wander freely and enjoy the sunshine. Mine are currently only allowed in another section of the barn...(I only have 3 left They free ranged with goats which I believed protected them a lot.

However now, even when I'm home, I'm afraid to let them out. I am their protector, and I promised them they would not have to be afraid again after the massacre. Although they are not lap chickens, they are my responsibility and are little creatures who depend on me, esp since I raised them from babies.
When summer arrives I plan on getting some electric poutry netting to allow them to free range only when I'm home. I also have a baby monitor outside, so I can hear.

When I first started, I killed raccoon after raccoon after raccoon. I finally got tired of the killing and realized, it would be less stressful on me, if I just made sure their coop was secure and nothing could get in. Of course that didn't apply to free ranging. But you kill one predator, another one is waiting to take their place.

Raccoons live in loose colonies and if you see one coon there may be dozens living in the immediate area and sharing the same resources, your chickens. So it is understandable that some of you may think that that if you kill one coon another will move in. Take my word for it, the other coon has already moved in.

Coons do not have 9 lives like Felix the cartoon cat. Once Mr coons' body temperature reaches the same temperature as the environment, that coon will kill no more of your chickens until the end of time.

What is required however is a chicken keeper who is more concerned about protecting his flock than the emotional health of a coon colony plus a keeper who knows his enemy.