Two hawks in less than 7 days!!!!

[Roan]

Wow, it is impressive that you have had free range birds that long without a loss. I've lost birds to Cooper's hawks, goshawks and redtail hawks. Along with those I lost some to coyotes, foxes, fishers, raccoons and occasional dog.

No no, we've lost birds. Once there was a massacre from a raccoon but never from a hawk and never over the course of less than once a week so close to the house. In fact, I went outside one day to see a fox holding one of our hens several years back. It dropped the hen and I sent my dog, Kova, after it. It never came back again so I'll assume Kova chased it completely away. Yeah, that's what he did.

But this hawk is another matter. It watches us from the trees and if we've not been out for awhile, that's when it chooses to attack. It's the only explanation I can come up with for its timing.

 

[roosterlover897]

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!! ( don't send me anything that says i did this wrong or said this incorrect I JUST AM DIGGING MYSELF A DEEPER HOLE and if you can help me delete these posts THEN you can email me.

 

[Roan]

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!! ( don't send me anything that says i did this wrong or said this incorrect I JUST AM DIGGING MYSELF A DEEPER HOLE and if you can help me delete these posts THEN you can email me.

I feel your frustration. I get corrected a lot on here too but it's how we learn. Don't take it as a personal insult, just learn from it.

I thought the same way you did. I had always been raised to believe that if something or someone were threatening your private property, you had the right to defend it or yourself by whatever means was necessary. So you're not the only one who was misinformed.

If you hadn't said anything, I probably would have eventually killed the hawk but thanks to you and the responses your received I and I'm sure others, now know better. Don't give up on trying to help.

Thanks for your effort.

 

[Roan]

Okay, So the hawk is no longer a problem for us and is alive and well, I'm sure.

It is frustrating that trying to protect your birds is less important than a single hawk but whatever.

My love for hawks has now officially dropped some since it's obvious that they're more important than my birds.

 

[enola]

It is not a good idea to post on the internet that you have shot a hawk..........

 

[Roan]

As I posted originally, I have respect for all of God's creatures. However, He gave us dominion over them, therefore, we have a responsibility to protect the ones in our care and dissuade predation from others.

As a matter of example, this summer, we had 3 different black snakes raid our chicken house for eggs throughout the season. But I did not kill nor harm a single one of them either. I simply took them away from the house and let them go. Did they come back? Of course, but after being removed several times, they finally got the hint. I will not harm any creature if there is another course of action. And yes, these were three separate snakes. 1 was 4'1" long, another was 3'9" long and the last was 4'6" long.

 

[enola]

Then you might like to know that it is just as illegal to harass a hawk as it is to kill one.........

 

[centrarchid]

Obviously, if my intent were to kill or maim it, I would not have posted.  For that matter, I would not consider it.  But since this was with a very low powered kid's toy gun, I do not see the harm in it.  I would rather have people use these methods than go out and in frustration and anger, try something more deadly.  So I don't think this is the wrong attitude to have.

As I posted originally, I have respect for all of God's creatures.  However, He gave us dominion over them, therefore, we have a responsibility to protect the ones in our care and dissuade predation from others.

As a matter of example, this summer, we had 3 different black snakes raid our chicken house for eggs throughout the season.  But I did not kill nor harm a single one of them either.  I simply took them away from the house and let them go.  Did they come back?  Of course, but after being removed several times, they finally got the hint.  I will not harm any creature if there is another course of action.  And yes, these were three separate snakes.  1 was 4'1" long, another was 3'9" long and the last was 4'6" long. 

Your position very many people will disagree with when it comes to raptors. They are public domain which means they are not for you to dismiss as a pest and then act in a manner that can kill or maim. Even a low powered BB gun can maim.

 

[Roan]

Okay, thank you for the input and the info about harassing. I will not do so again. So besides making my birds prisoners, how can I avoid such problems with the hawks in the future?

 

[centrarchid]

Use a combination of cover, fencing close to cover, timed release outside peak hawk hunting hours and dogs. Roosters can also be effective when cover is available to operate from. I have lots of hawks but only get occasional drama with minimal actual loss.