Red Tailed Hawk

[broadwing]

This could be a simple solution to this problem: contact your state's falconers club/assn and let them know that you might have a likely candidate for anyone seeking a redtail with which to hunt. Falconers are licensed by the state and federal Fish & Wildlife Service and are granted capture permits, usually between Sept and Jan/Feb. Redtails, Cooper's Hawks, and several other species that are known to take chickens are legal to hunt with in virtually every state (except Hawaii) and redtails are very popular falconry birds. If someone in your area is in the market for one and your troublemaker is the right age (if the redtail doesn't have a red tail, it's likely a young bird and okay to trap), you might be able to have the falconer trap and remove it from the area. S/he will teach it to catch furry things instead of your chickens and you will likely never see it again.

We have redtails in front of our house and Cooper's Hawks behind, so I'm vigilant about knowing the coast is clear before letting our girls out. While I'm not looking for either species this year, I won't have to go far if I ever decide to train one.

A Google search for "[your state here] Falconers" should get you a website with contact phone number or email, or you could call your state Fish & Wildlife/Game office.

Otherwise, as I'm sure you're aware, the penalties for being found guilty of harassing wildlife such as raptors can be steep. In a recent roller pigeon sting conducted by USFWS, nearly two dozen people in several states were arrested for killing raptors (even as tiny as kestrels!) just for being in the same area as the pigeons. Sentences being handed down can include jail time, community service, loss of hunting/fishing licenses for a year, huge fines (up to $10K), and in at least one case, loss of the guy's job.

If anybody has any questions about any of this, please feel free to contact me privately. I'm a licensed falconer and an officer in my state's club, and am happy to help.

 

[gritsar]

Cindy,
I'm sorry you had that trouble. I know all about men that stand around and watch while something like that is happening, but won't resort to man-bashing here. I stay in enough trouble without adding that to the pile.
I don't have anything to offer for protecting your flock that the others haven't suggested; sorry.
TxChiknRanchers made some good points.
broadwing, I would love to be able to experience what you do in working with the falcons and other birds of prey, sounds really awesome.
Peace y'all, Kat

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

I also admire the work you do Broadwing even though they are raptors they are a beautiful bird and deserve to live like any other creature they are just doing what comes natural to them, and to be able to teach and train them to change their ways must be amazing.

TxChiknRanchers your comment "or just squirt them with your water hose. Thats a new one".

I was just trying to be humorous and not serious when I had mentioned "I had a hawk swoop down on my chickens the other day. I was filling their water bowl at the time and the hawk didn't see me, when I heard the comotion I stood up and was able to get a shot off with the water sprayer. It landed on an electrical pole then flew off I haven't seen it since". I caught Mr.RTH off guard he sure was surprise to see me since I was behind one of my chicken coops and I believe got him a little wet lol. I would never harm a raptor because I realize their importants in nature but don't want to argue that view. Anyway I hope most of you took it for the humor of the episode.

 

[broncbuster07]

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I, for one, was able to see the humor in the episode and I seriously doubt a shot of water hurt the hawk. I often resort to water as a deterrent from bad behavior. Kitty knows she walks all over my new car, Kitty gonna get shot at with the ultra supersoaker. Kitty no go on my new car anymore. Unlike the SO, I only shoot at her once with it, cuz I'm the grown up around here.

The hawks are beautiful though, IMHO. To be able to just soar on the wind currents, ahhhh freedom like no other.

 

[skatcatla]

Quote:
Amen.

 

[cindydj]

Some great responses...although I have to admit I was more or less very upset at my huband for letting chickens be his entertainment.....I would not have shot the hawks, it really is part of nature, and having lived like this all my life I understand....I would have atleast ran into the pature and tried to scare the hawks so the chickens could go back to the barn....he did say the rooster and the rest were all makeing a terriby loud noise.....I will tell you this... we have three small dogs and he did not put them in their pen, they went inside for fear of the hawks...I hate losing a chicken or any animal but my kids will be the first to tell you "it is part of farm life"

 

[DuckLady]

I think this thread has played itself out.
Lots of good info.
Thanks everyone.