RIP little drake! 😟

[MIDuckLady]

That is one wicked raptor you have. We’ve got them down here too. They just have a lot more feeding options given the climate / habitats here than during the winter in WV.
Maybe an armed fleet of drones could take him down.

 

[Texag87]

@WannaBeHillBilly , I say kill it any way you and burn the evidence. Even if you are caught you have three chances for common sense to step in. The LEO that may use discretion, the prosecutor that SHOULD use discretion, and the judge as a last resort. The .177 pellet gun is not a bad idea.

 

[Raenh]

keep all the ducks in your living room

Y'all already know this would be my solution! My girls finally discovered the covered gazebo type this I put together for them to hide under if they feel the need.

 

[Jpat]

Would this scare the crap out of a deer?

Everything scares the deer here so it might

 

[sunny_bellyboo]

I'd ask the police station what to do. They would have more info on what you can and cannot do, and they might even take the bird down in like I dunno a trap or they may kill it. They may do nothing and say don't do anything, so then keep the ducks locked up until it goes away I guess. I hope I'm helpful

 

[gmjarvi]

Nope? - Not even in self defense? I mean that thing attacken me. I'm all about protecting nature, but if nature turns against me, that's another story...

Nope, not even in self defense. Assuming you are in the US, all non-game birds are illegal to harm, kill, shoot, hunt, trap, cage, or poison without a special permit. You cannot even legally possess the feathers of a non-game or domesticated bird.

Sorry about your drake and that you got hit, too ☹ I hope he leaves you and your ducks alone soon. If it is too hard for him to get a meal he will leave to eat elsewhere.

 

[DiYMama540]

Wonder what justifies giving out the permits?
This thing is obviously quite bold to drive bomb the humans...multiple times!

I am so sorry hillbilly...if it was one of the favorites though, I would be making a trip to help you solve the problem!!

We had a hawk picking off tiny wild birds last year but I've not seen it for quite a while. The crows have set up camp pretty thick because one of my neighbors tosses all her old food out in the yard Maybe try to attract more crows to the area!

 

[johntfs]

Shotgun requires paperwork, background check and waiting time, up to three months. By that time the hawk will have eaten me.
I thought about a fully automatic pellet gun:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fully+automatic+pellet+gun&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Get a pellet gun and start the process for getting a shotgun.

 

[gmjarvi]

Wonder what justifies giving out the permits?

I know of a few examples of scientists being permitted to lethally remove raptors in order to protect endangered raptors occupying the same niche. Very controversial and sensitive issue in the ornithological realm, but it has happened.

I doubt the government would issue a permit to a citizen because of depredation and dive bombing, and because of how slow the government moves, I would imagine any problem raptor would move on by the time one got the permit!

ETA: much more common are permits given to possess the feathers of raptors and other protected birds, or the already deceased birds themselves. Usually to scientists or tribes that use feathers for ceremonial regalia.

Attracting crows is a good idea.

 

[quackiemama]

Wonder what justifies giving out the permits?
This thing is obviously quite bold to drive bomb the humans...multiple times!

I am so sorry hillbilly...if it was one of the favorites though, I would be making a trip to help you solve the problem!!

We had a hawk picking off tiny wild birds last year but I've not seen it for quite a while. The crows have set up camp pretty thick because one of my neighbors tosses all her old food out in the yard Maybe try to attract more crows to the area!

crows and ravens are awesome to have around adult ducks and chickens! They do NOT like hawks flying around!