I attended the Peregrine shareholders meeting in Tallahassee yesterday. I am extremely disappointed at the negative stance that Audubon of Florida has taken in resisting the de-listing of the peregrine falcon and allowing a very modest take of passage peregrines by falconers. I feel that Audubon has completely dismissed the historical fact that FALCONERS are the ones who brought attention to and saved the peregrine from the brink of extinction. And the fact that peregrine populations are stable and even expanding in certain (especially urban) areas. Falconers were the ones who invested their own finances, time, birds and expertise, developed the techniques and set up the captive breeding and release programs that have become the gold standard followed all over the world. I would recommend that you look at the website (or better yet go to Boise) of the worlds leading peregrine falcon conservation organization: www.peregrinefund.org . Now also called: The World Center for Birds of Prey. One of their founding members of this organization is the late Morley Nelson. He was famous for his cinematographic work on the Disney films; as well as a world-renowned falconer who flew both golden and bald eagles in falconry. The Snake River Birds of Prey Area; which has the largest concentration of nesting peregrines in the US is now named after him. The Peregrine Fund, which started at Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology is founded, staffed and financed primarily by FALCONERS and supporters of FALCONRY. The world’s largest collection of falconry books, artifacts and memorabilia is now housed there at the Archives of Falconry wing at the Peregrine Fund. Also, you need to visit the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. (www.theraptorcenter.org) This is where veterinarian students from all over the world learn techniques for treatment of raptors. The orthopedic techniques we use to heal broken bones on all birds was developed there by the leading veterinarian Dr. Pat Redig, DVM, Ph.D. Who is a practicing falconer. His Ph.D. was on the study and aspergillosis in goshawks. He is considered the world authority on this devastating disease and is a practicing FALCONER. The guidebook written by the University (Care and Management of Captive Raptors by Arent et. al.) is the guideline that the USFWS has adopted as the standard for the care of captive raptors held by USFWS permitted rehabilitators and educators. Again written by a practicing falconer. I recommend that you get a copy and read it.

Another organization is the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (www.iaate.org). Founded by Walter Crawford and Steve Martin, both falconers. If you look at the staff and membership list, you will find a large percentage of the members are also falconers, who have a love for all bird species.

Another famous falconer who just passed away was Frank Beebe. A Canadian falconer who is well known for studies on the goshawk and gyrfalcon. And co-author of one of the most cited books on falconry: North American Falconry & Hunting Hawks, (Beebe & Webster) now in 8 editions (9th edition is being done).

In Europe, Dr. Cooper, DVM, Dr. Nick Fox, Jemima Parry-Jones and Roger Upton among others, are all highly respected in research and captive breeding programs. In other words, when you align your organization with falconers, you are aligning yourself with some pretty respectable folks. Who hold some of the highest scientific and ethical standards.

The permits I hold are the following: Licensed as a falconer since 1974: USFWS: Falconry: Master & Eagle Class. Migratory Bird Rehabilitation, Raptor Propagation, Migratory Bird Educational Permit: Abatement Permit using Raptors.

I feel that Audubon is doing a great dis-service to themselves, the conservation of birds and the peregrine by their obstructive and non-scientific stance. I would urge you to study the history of the peregrine recovery and re-consider your position.

Respectfully,


Kitty Tolson Carroll

===============================================
Kitty Tolson Carroll� Email: Hawkmom74@birdsofprey.net
Website:� www.birdsofprey.net/gauntlet
OR: Hawkmom74@yahoo.com

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1300, Live Oak, Florida 32064
Phone: 386-776-1960

See Birds of the Gauntlet on YouTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W7Inf2Gu-E

Birds of the Gauntlet TM: Free-flight Bird of Prey & Falconry demonstrations by Accipiter Enterprises. �Educating the public at Sportsmen's shows,� Agricultural Fairs, Air Shows, Balloon Festivals, Renaissance Festivals,� Scottish Games since 1989.�� Fully contained with own� sound system & tent.�� Federally & state licensed & insured.� ��

International Falconry Academy TM: Falconry schools, instruction, workshops, Field Trips. �
BIRD STRIKE FORCE TM: Pest bird and pest raptor consultant / removal.��
Bird husbandry, behavior & raptor housing consultant

Licensed falconer since 1974.�� Master & Eagle class falconer.�

~~~~~Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take;
but by the number of moments that take your breath away.....

I attended the Peregrine shareholders meeting in Tallahassee yesterday. I am extremely disappointed at the negative stance that Audubon of Florida has taken in resisting the de-listing of the peregrine falcon and allowing a very modest take of passage peregrines by falconers. I feel that Audubon has completely dismissed the historical fact that FALCONERS are the ones who brought attention to and saved the peregrine from the brink of extinction. And the fact that peregrine populations are stable and even expanding in certain (especially urban) areas. Falconers were the ones who invested their own finances, time, birds and expertise, developed the techniques and set up the captive breeding and release programs that have become the gold standard followed all over the world. I would recommend that you look at the website (or better yet go to Boise) of the worlds leading peregrine falcon conservation organization: www.peregrinefund.org . Now also called: The World Center for Birds of Prey. One of their founding members of this organization is the late Morley Nelson. He was famous for his cinematographic work on the Disney films; as well as a world-renowned falconer who flew both golden and bald eagles in falconry. The Snake River Birds of Prey Area; which has the largest concentration of nesting peregrines in the US is now named after him. The Peregrine Fund, which started at Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology is founded, staffed and financed primarily by FALCONERS and supporters of FALCONRY. The world’s largest collection of falconry books, artifacts and memorabilia is now housed there at the Archives of Falconry wing at the Peregrine Fund. Also, you need to visit the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. (www.theraptorcenter.org) This is where veterinarian students from all over the world learn techniques for treatment of raptors. The orthopedic techniques we use to heal broken bones on all birds was developed there by the leading veterinarian Dr. Pat Redig, DVM, Ph.D. Who is a practicing falconer. His Ph.D. was on the study and aspergillosis in goshawks. He is considered the world authority on this devastating disease and is a practicing FALCONER. The guidebook written by the University (Care and Management of Captive Raptors by Arent et. al.) is the guideline that the USFWS has adopted as the standard for the care of captive raptors held by USFWS permitted rehabilitators and educators. Again written by a practicing falconer. I recommend that you get a copy and read it.

Another organization is the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (www.iaate.org). Founded by Walter Crawford and Steve Martin, both falconers. If you look at the staff and membership list, you will find a large percentage of the members are also falconers, who have a love for all bird species.

Another famous falconer who just passed away was Frank Beebe. A Canadian falconer who is well known for studies on the goshawk and gyrfalcon. And co-author of one of the most cited books on falconry: North American Falconry & Hunting Hawks, (Beebe & Webster) now in 8 editions (9th edition is being done).

In Europe, Dr. Cooper, DVM, Dr. Nick Fox, Jemima Parry-Jones and Roger Upton among others, are all highly respected in research and captive breeding programs. In other words, when you align your organization with falconers, you are aligning yourself with some pretty respectable folks. Who hold some of the highest scientific and ethical standards.

The permits I hold are the following: Licensed as a falconer since 1974: USFWS: Falconry: Master & Eagle Class. Migratory Bird Rehabilitation, Raptor Propagation, Migratory Bird Educational Permit: Abatement Permit using Raptors.

I feel that Audubon is doing a great dis-service to themselves, the conservation of birds and the peregrine by their obstructive and non-scientific stance. I would urge you to study the history of the peregrine recovery and re-consider your position.

Respectfully,


Kitty Tolson Carroll

===============================================
Kitty Tolson Carroll� Email: Hawkmom74@birdsofprey.net
Website:� www.birdsofprey.net/gauntlet
OR: Hawkmom74@yahoo.com

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1300, Live Oak, Florida 32064
Phone: 386-776-1960

See Birds of the Gauntlet on YouTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W7Inf2Gu-E

Birds of the Gauntlet TM: Free-flight Bird of Prey & Falconry demonstrations by Accipiter Enterprises. �Educating the public at Sportsmen's shows,� Agricultural Fairs, Air Shows, Balloon Festivals, Renaissance Festivals,� Scottish Games since 1989.�� Fully contained with own� sound system & tent.�� Federally & state licensed & insured.� ��

International Falconry Academy TM: Falconry schools, instruction, workshops, Field Trips. �
BIRD STRIKE FORCE TM: Pest bird and pest raptor consultant / removal.��
Bird husbandry, behavior & raptor housing consultant

Licensed falconer since 1974.�� Master & Eagle class falconer.�

~~~~~Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take;
but by the number of moments that take your breath away.....

Field Sports Forever

This is a blog to celebrate the practice of all field sports. From 'traditional' shooting and archery sports to terrier work, coursing, falconry, and all other 'primitive' field practices.