Near hawk experience.

[imnukensc]

Not terribly long, but very informative if anyone cares to read it.

http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/HawksOwls.asp

 

[JerAtwater]

I've read that all the predatory birds are illegal to kill/trap.

So, I refrain doing so, as far as law enforcement is concerned.

 

[RAsChickens]

My father works for the Washington department of fish and wildlife. I asked him if it was ok, and he said it is.

 

[centrarchid]

My father works for the Washington department of fish and wildlife. I asked him if it was ok, and he said it is.

I would get a second opinion two. Parties to ask are going to more directly associated with wildlife management like you might find with APHIS.

 

[centrarchid]

I called a family member in our local law enforcement.
He informed me we are legally protecting our investment since we are registered as Agriculture exempted with our property by "ONLY SCAMPERING THEM AWAY TO FEED SOMEWHERE ELSE" (his words). We are filed as a agricultural property tax exemption. Our acreage, classes of animals (not just chickens) and number of livestock gives us an exemption here in Florida where we received our tax exemption.
He says an owner in the suburb's would be breaking the law with bottle rockets since he signed the agricultural exempt to obtain the class of fireworks and or his property is not registered as ag ex.
He says as long as we are just scaring them away and not hurting them, that is what the fireworks agriculture exemption was designed for. But is not enforced unless someone within the suburban setting is abusing the loop hole.
We make a living from our livestock and are protecting our registered agricultural land by scaring away predators and not killing them. He said he will contact the channels to confirm his prior briefing on the subject.
Wow! I am learning something! Never too old to learn.
Excellent thread!

Did you specify raptors in the discussion an include the migratory bird act? Farmers I work with cannot harass raptors even when they are going after brood fish that can add up to being worth many thousands of dollars and be critical for subsequent production years. From what I know, you could get pinched and get pinched hard when it comes to the raptors.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

He said he would check into the details of the laws like I stated. It is Sat night so I Will wait....
I will find out and post the results no matter who it favors. We are talking geographically speaking where we live. Some areas birds are listed endangered and other states they are not.
What is your definition of a Raptor Florida speaking?

I understand now what you mean @centrarchid .
I will know the details first of the week when the offices open.

 

[centrarchid]

He said he would check into the details of the laws like I stated. It is Sat night so I Will wait....
I will find out and post the results no matter who it favors. We are talking geographically speaking where we live. Some areas birds are listed endangered and other states they are not.
What is your definition of a Raptor Florida speaking?

You are in the USA. The law I refer to overrides state statues, including Florida's.

 

[andreanar]

Close call! I agree with deer netting over the top of your run. I had a hawk come swooping down at my little tiny Chinese crested puppy yrs ago. It was a red tailed hawk.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Just got off the phone with WFC.
Had a briefing on do's and don't as far as raptors are concerned.
As always, @aart is correct! He is a valuable asset to the byc community. And I have tremendous respect for his notable input.


YOU CAN NOT... Launch anything at them. Like aart quoted.. even a ping pong ball. That is a considered a THREAT towards a federally protected animal and you can bring real trouble and drama into your life making loosing a couple chickens here and there seem like no problem at all! The Bottle rockets sold for wildlife deterrent with that waver signed here in Florida.. means for situations like deer in your corn field etc.

YOU CAN DO.... A fire cracker on the ground beside you and not launched, (gun shot into the ground not recommended), yell, scream, shout, make wacky bird sounds. As long as nothing is LAUNCHED @ THE HAWK. You can attempt to scare them off....

Just don't launch! (as per @aart) )) "LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID"

ALSO.. While I had the Federal Officer on the line, I asked about live trap and relocation....

It is illegal to relocate any kind of animal to a different area... Period.. No exceptions!
I was informed to "dispatch the predators caught on my land (excluding bobcats). Specifically by "easily putting a bullet in the head" vs charges of relocating to subject the animal into a rehoming situation. Introducing it to other animals of it's type of species, others will protect their established ground and make life miserable or even kill the newly introduced animal.
Snakes included. Dispatch what you catch on your property. Dispatching is more humane than a tormented death.
When you hire a nuisance animal trapper, he will trap it and dispatch it off your property without the you witnessing the ugliness.

So with that said. I will throw a "firecracker" down by my person or just wave my arms and yell in the near future.
I do not recommend at all.. Period... launching at protected birds...
End of my participation in this thread if it turns into a heated debate.

Thank you aart for bring that fact to attention. Now I have also learned about relocation as well. We are in the mists of a raccoon problem trying to get at our investment. Prior to this phone conversation, I was trying to do what I felt was the humanely thing with the poor creatures. Now I will get my husband to despatch them instead of finding our way straight into a quagmire.
Gotta go.
No coons in the trap from last night thank goodness. Wasn't ready to shoot a critter in the head today!

If my conclusion within this reply is unacceptable, call your local Federal Wildlife Office to speak with a representative to avoid spending countless hours clicking on google links and speculating what the do's and do not's are
Or ask aart..Hehe

Best regards, connie

 

[centrarchid]

Well, I am at a loss for words, but still disgusted.