Is it legal in the US to shoot a hawk that is killing your flock?

[The Moonshiner]

Up to $15,000 and 6 months. Not worth it.

Lol, $100 and 24 hours wouldn't be worth it.

 

[notabitail]

Lol, $100 and 24 hours wouldn't be worth it.

It'd be like shooting yourself in the foot.

 

[alinas2010]

While raptors can be a nuisance and cause heartbreak to us, they are magnificent in their own right. A lot of people would be surprised and probably equally as heartbroken to learn what they can go through to get a meal. Even just catching a fish can land a raptor with a hook in its mouth.

I know it seriously sucks that our flocks are considered fair game for them, but consider how important they are for our environment. They keep populations of small animals under control, help keep disease and Waste under control by scavenging dead carcasses and overall indicate how healthy our ecosystem is.

If you’d like to try to keep these guys away from your flocks, try attracting blue jays and crows. We see them terrorize the hawks by our house all the time. The blue jays alert to the hawks and the crows harass them and drive them away.

Consider visiting a raptor rehabilitation center before you jump to saying you’d take one of them out. Not only is that illegal but they’re phenomenal creatures that are essential to our ecosystem. Do you know how tough it is for them to get young reared and survive a rugged winter? As much as it hurts to loose our chickens to them, we need these creatures. And I say all that knowing at the same time they seriously, seriously suck for our flocks.

It’s sickening anyone would even think of ending the life of one of these creatures by choice.

 

[The Moonshiner]

It'd be like shooting yourself in the foot.

I'm pretty sure I'd be nothing like that but ok

 

[SunriseChickers]

We once had a (Cooper's?) hawk land on the power lines and get shocked on our property. I think we called the wildlife folks for that one, and they said just bury it. Obviously an accident, but no complaints about one less hawk flying around, that's for sure. We still had a Red Tail or two, but they weren't too overly bold.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

No. In fact it is illegal for an American citizen to pick up and look at a naturally shed hawk feather even if they find it laying on the ground. It'll get you 6 months to 2 years in a Federal prison. But as an old Moon shiner I knew once said, "Ketching comes fore hanging!"

Unfortunately there is an army of humans out there (The word people is way too kind) who have nothing better to do in their insignificant and boring little lives than to report you to the authorities so as to atone for their own pitiful self loathing selves.

2nd paragraph.............PHEW, but right said.

 

[Appalachickens]

I'm extremely skeptical that a hawk would try to get a chicken you are holding. But if hawks are getting your chickens while they are free ranging, you need to provide cover of some sort. Ideally, thick vegetation, or hawk netting if you can't do that. Raptors are amazing creatures and I'm happy to have hawks and owls around. Possibly I'll lose a chicken now and again, but I'm sure not risking jail time to get rid of them.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

This just happened in PA

Originally Published Jan 22, 2013 17:02
By Ad Crable
Staff Writer
An Upper Leacock farmer fed up with birds of prey killing his free-range chickens has been charged with shooting an immature bald eagle.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission charged Paul A. Zook, 28, of the 100 block of Geist Road with two misdemeanors of the state Game and Wildlife Code.
One count is for killing an endangered or threatened species and one count is for unlawful taking and possession of protected birds.
Zook, an Amish farmer, could face up to two years in jail and fines up to $5,000 if found guilty and depending on the feelings of the judge. In addition, a judge could require Zook to pay up to $5,000 to "replace" the eagle.
A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled Jan. 31 before District Judge Denise Commins of Leola.
Bald eagles are listed as a threatened species in Pennsylvania and are protected. Their comeback has been a rousing success in the state and Lancaster County has one of the highest concentrations in the Commonwealth.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Game Commission, Zook readily admitted to shooting the eagle, thinking it was a hawk that was preying on his chickens.
Zook told investigating officers that he had previously shot at least three red-tailed hawks, according to the complaint filed by Derek Daly, then a wildlife conservation officer covering Lancaster County.
Hawks also are a protected species in Pennsylvania, though they are not listed as threatened or endangered.
The case began Nov. 23 when two rabbit hunters called the Game Commission and said they had found a dead eagle in a hole in the ground near Geist Road and Hartman Station Road.
Two investigating wildlife conservation officers examined the eagle and found a bullet hole in its breast.
They drove it to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square for a necropsy. Results showed that a fatal small-caliber bullet had entered the raptor's spine and exited its breast.
The examination also turned up evidence that the bird had been shot in the knee previously.
Game Commission officers started checking surrounding farms. The third farm was Zook's.
Zook confirmed for officers that he had chickens outdoors and that he had problems with hawks killing them, according to the criminal complaint.
Daly "then asked him what he was doing about it and he said that he was shooting the hawks," the complaint said.
When a deputy wildlife conservation officer asked Zook when was the last time he shot one, Zook "said prior to killing the most recent hawk, he had shot at least three other red-tailed hawks."
In response to a question, Zook said the most recent bird he had shot seemed to be a different type of hawk, according to the complaint.
Daly said Zook then signed a statement admitting to shooting the eagle and took the officers to where he had shot and the location of the eagle when he shot.
Officers seized Zook's .22 rifle and a box of ammunition as evidence.
From the edge of extinction, restoration of bald eagles here and across Pennsylvania has been celebrated by most people.
As recently as 1980, there were only three pairs of nesting eagles in Pennsylvania. In 2011, there were 217 nesting pairs.
The same week that Zook allegedly shot the eagle, a birdwatcher counted 40 bald eagles in trees near Strasburg.
Lancaster County, with the Susquehanna River for nesting sites and availability of food on farmland, has one of the highest concentrations in the state.
For the first time, there are rumblings that marauding by the national symbol is becoming a nuisance for some local Plain sect farmers.
Incidents of livestock raiding by eagles and misgivings of farmers will be explored in detail in the Outdoors section in this week's Sunday News.
Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local...l#ixzz2IkiRAXJt

Welcome to america the land of wicked murderers! You can go have an abortion up to 23 weeks (not that it matters the gestation age) legally...but buddy if you kill their idol eagle you better watch yourself...wicked

LORD JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

 

[notabitail]

Welcome to america the land of wicked murderers! You can go have an abortion up to 23 weeks (not that it matters the gestation age) legally...but buddy if you kill their idol eagle you better watch yourself...wicked

LORD JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

I don't think this thread is about politics, let alone bald eagles.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

I don't think this thread is about politics, let alone bald eagles.

Not politics just right and wrong..you can take a person's life, but if you kill a bird somehow that is cared more for..it's just insane

LORD JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!