Neighbor busted for hawk death

[darkmatter]

A few years ago, I had a Red Tailed Hawk incident. I was away for a couple weeks for business reasons (migrant nuclear work) and during that time apparently a Hawk had pursued a chicken through the pop door and into the coop. It couldn't get out. The Missus told me that her and the kids was having trouble closing up the chickens for a few days---getting dark and the chickens didn't want to go in the coop as normal, she had to herd them in to close them up. The funny part was she was collecting the eggs in the morning after letting the chickens out and not noticing the "rather large chicken" on the roost. When she did see the Hawk in the Coop, it was an "Awww Sh*t" moment. She left the people door open and the hawk flew out. (See my BYC page for pics of the Coop). When I got home, I found many clean picked bones in the litter. The Hawk was living in a smorgasbord for a few days. Apparently it was not a favorable experience for the Hawk, since he did not repeat the act, nor did we have aerial predation thereafter. I just considered it a "Grin and bear it" incident. I have plenty of chickens and more eggs then I use anyway, so there was no reason to pursue the predator like I do with Raccoons and Roaming Dogs.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=236368

 

[peterlund]

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I this politically correct, environmentally focused land we are living in. I could CERTAINLY see a ruling against you.... If it were your child they would probably convict you of the crime, suspend the sentence... then confiscate your guns.

Use a quiet weapon and do it at dusk.... Hide the body. Think Mafia and Jimmy Hoffa!!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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On another website several years ago a member was busted because his neighbor saw him shoot the hawk as it was attacking his chicken.

That said, a year plus ago, a shot hawk was found in our neighborhood. It was taken to a raptor and wildlife rehab that is relatively nearby, and was expected to make full recovery. They did not report the incident, which completely surprised me. There was a LOT of anger throughout the neighborhood, both about shooting a hawk, but also about shooting IN the city (illegal) and near homes (our properties are .5-2 acreas, so homes are relatively close to each other).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Actually it has worked for me. You don't just get the fine and that's it. You go to court for it just like any other ticket and explain why you did it. There's a difference between being malicious and defending.

The law itself does not give leeway for protecting livestock or pets. You were lucky to get a sympathetic judge/jury.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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as long as you have grass in there run it is considered free range big companys that sell free range eggs have an outside run that is so small not half the chickens can be out at the same time

Last I looked at the egg labeling rules, there were a BUNCH of criteria to use the term "free range" and does not mean what most folks think it means. They merely have to have access to outdoors, no requirement for grass or dirt, no extra space required, so still super crowded.

I think the term "pastured" is a better description of what you want. Put your birds in tractors and move the tractors over your land.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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No chicken it too large for a hawk. Perhaps too large for some of hte smaller ones, but not the large ones. If the chicken is too heavy for them to carry off, they will eat is where they killed it.

 

[NateinFL]

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That would have been an amazing sight to see! All the egrets flying up in unison and them BOOM, eagle grabs one. I've never seen a bald eagle make a kill, but I have seen the smaller hawks catching birds. One day I heard something smack against my window, look outside and a Cooper's hawk had a cardinal pinned on the ground for a few seconds, then took off with it. Sad to see, but that's nature.

 

[CariLynn]

I believe, and mind you, this is my own personal humble opinion, so take it for what it is worth....but when you move into the country or even an urban setting, your moving and displacing the wildlife that was there first. If I saw ANYONE shooting at a hawk or any other raptor that was only doing what it was meant to do, yes, I would turn you in and wouldn't hesitate to do so.

Free range has its dangers, I understand about making a living on those chickens or feeding your family and/or someone else, my own family were farmers and we grew up dirt poor, so I also know the meaning of scraping or making a dollar stretch. However, if you don't want a predator to get your chickens, then ensure that they are properly and safely contained. We, as their care takers need to do just that, take care of them, not laugh about hurting an animal only trying to stay alive as well, not knowing it is taking from you or your family, only being motivated by instinct.

So before you shoot, shovel and shut up...think about what your doing. And if you do shoot that hawk or raptor, then shame on you!

 

[NateinFL]

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What???? Nobody here is laughing about hurting an animal.

 

[ranchhand]

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Aye. Thank you.