Sunday, April 3, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Sport of Kings by Stephen Bodio
Here is the text from an excellent article by Stephen Bodio from American Hunter Magazine. I feel that this article is as timely now as it was when it first appeared in American Hunter magazine.
The Sport of Kings, by Stephen Bodio. From American Hunter Magazine, March 1987, Vol. 15, No. 3
An English pointer is ranging ahead of three hunters in the prairie chicken country of New Mexico. Earlier they had watched as the big grouse dropped in the cutover field like ducks to a pond. But now the birds are scattered and invisible in the six-inch stubble. The pointer casts left, right, and skids to a stop, tail aloft, nose pointed rigidly ahead. The first hunter steps forward. But instead of continuing in for the flush, he stops and removes a leather cap from the head of a blue-gray bird perched on his left fist. The bird looks around, pulls up its feathers, shakes them down with a loud rattle, and bobs it’s head. It leaps into the air and cuts off at an angle to the dog, flying fast and low to the ground.
In a moment it turns and the hunters can that it is circling, gaining a little altitude with each sweep. They watch, check the pointer who is motionless as a stone dog, and peer into the stubble, willing the birds to remain in place.
The peregrine falcon, a bird once restricted to nobility, levels, beating and gliding in small circles perhaps a thousand feet above the dog.
And the hunter who released her runs forward, yelling. One of the others trains his binoculars on the falcon, as the third looks ahead to see the stubble come alive with forth flushing birds. As they erupt into the air with a startled gabble, the falcon turns and falls like a deadly missile, head first, wings folded, at a speed so great that is seems that she must smash herself against the ground. Instead, she levels out behind a prairie chicken and flies into it, so hard that feathers fly. The force of the strike impels them forward; for a moment they look like one huge, for-winged bird. Then the falcon tears loose and the grouse flutters down, dead in the air. The falcon climbs fifty feet straight up, turns over, and strikes again, hitting the fallen bird as it touches the earth. She rises once more, turns, and lands on her quarry.
Two of the hunters hang back as the first moves slowly in. The falcon bends over her prey, head low, a feather in her beak, instinctively protecting it against the intruder. Then training and recognition triumph, and she raises her head to follow his approach. He kneels and offers her a bit of meat. She yields gracefully, hops to the fist, and accepts the offering. After a moment he replaces the “hood”, puts the prairie chicken into a game bag hanging on his belt, and rejoins his companions.
What you have just seen is an example of modern falconry at it’s best. The so-called “Sport of Kings”, perhaps one of the oldest sports known to mankind, is alive and well in the twentieth-century America. Once restricted to the aristocrats of Europe and Asia, later kept alive by a handful of English gentlemen on the grouse moors of Scotland, falconry is now the obsession and devotion of over two thousand American from all walks of life. I know a millworker, several scientists, a veterinarian, two game wardens, a salesman, an oil geologist, and any number of school teachers to whom falconry is a way of life. They live from Idaho to Maine, Montana to Florida. Some go after snowshoe hares with goshawks an red-tailed hawks; some hunt starling and sparrows with tiny merlins an sharpshins. There are quail hunters who use Cooper’s hawks, and dedicated duck hunter with peregrine falcons. A lucky few even chase sage grouse with the great arctic gyrfalcon, worth a king’s ransom during the Crusades. All have one thin common: They are among the most dedicated of hunters.
Their dedication has been especially evident in the long struggle to restore the depleted peregrine falcon. Falconers have donated time, money, their own prized birds and expertise to this program – in fact, without their aid and dedication there might well be no peregrine falcons east of the Rocky Mountains. Now the return of the peregrine is one of the great “un-endangered species success stories of the late twentieth century. All is not rosy yet; the pesticides that impair the peregrine breeding persist south of the border, and certain populations must sill be monitored or supplemented with captive-bred young. Still it’s safe to say that the peregrine is in better shape now than in any another time in the past twenty-five years, largely because of falconers’ efforts.
Although falconers have been active in American conservation and hunting circles for years – pioneer wildlife biologists Frank and John Craighead were falconers, and Aldo Leopold wrote enthusiastically of the sport – most hunters know little about it. An unnatural alliance of anti-falconry protectionists and linger anti-hawk sentiments in some quarters of the hunting community have often forced falconers to keep a low profile. Recently this has been changing in falconers’ efforts to conserve the bird have gotten more press, and as more sportsmen understand the role of predators as agents of balance than destroyers of game.
Modern American falconers use bid from three families or raptors or birds of prey: falcons, accipiters and buteos. All are considered “hawks” – falcons are simply hawks of the falcon family. They are long winged and brown eyes, open-country flyers that kill birds on the wing. I once wrote an article for the falconers magazine making tongue-in-cheek comparisons between various guns and their corresponding birds. In this article the peregrine falcon, the preferred bird of Europe’s gentry since the Middle Ages, became a fine English double – a Purdey or Holland & Holland. (What realm this places the gyrfalcon in, I can’t even guess!) All true falcons become fine doubles, beautiful and select, fo ruse on upland game birds and waterfowl. They tiny merlin or pigeon hawk, weighing in the neighborhood of eight ounces, is simply a twenty-eight gauge, and the common kestrel, even smaller and sued mainly by beginners, a .410.
The accipiter group contains the goshawks, the Cooper’s hawk and the sharp-shin. Although hunters once considered them “bad” hawks because of their predation on game, modern biologists believe that in most cases they have little effect on healthy populations. Only when habitat is disturbed or in the case of the goshawk, when the collapse of northern snowshoe hare sends and “eruption” starving first-year birds south, do they occasionally do some damage. These hawks are short-winged, able to fly under a canopy of trees, capable of turning on a dime. While the sharpshin is almost too small to be useful, the Cooper’s hawk is a deadly quail hawk, and the goshawk sort of a feathered Drilling, able to take almost anything from woodcock to hares.
The final large group contains the buteos or soaring hawks like the common red-tailed hawk, plus the eagles and the unique Harris’ hawk of the southwestern deserts. The red-tail is the twelve-gauge pump gun of falconry, common, hardy and plentiful. I’ve probably taken more head of game with a red-tail than any other species. Although it a little slow for pheasants, it is a world-class performer for rabbits and hares. Eagles are rarely used anymore, although the Germans still prefer them for hunting their enormous hares. In the hands of real masters they can take coyotes. If they any analogous gun, it must be the double rifle – heavy, hard kicking, rare and indispensable for a few pursuits.
The Harris, an odd bird in looks and habits, resembles buteos but has some of the speed of the accipiters. It can also be flown in groups, a unique characteristic that make more resemble a hound than any gun!
Modern falconry, especially American falconry, differs from the lad four thousand years of practice in that it has welcomed innovation. Although a German falconer bred the first hawks in captivity, a pair of peregrines, it was Americans who proved that this was not a fluke and have the breeding of birds of prey into a science. Now breeders can supply many of their own birds for sport, plus donate peregrines to the recovery program. What is more, some breeders are experimenting with hybrids falcons “breeds,” so it could even be said that falcons are becoming domesticated like man’s other hunting companion, the dog. American falconers have also invented sophisticated electronic tracking devices, no longer than cigarette filters, which their birds can wear on their legs and tails. These make the recovery of lost birds something better than chancy for the first time in history.
Although these innovations might point to a golden age of falconry, not everything is rosy. Like all field sports, falconry is often under attack from ill-informed or sentimental anti-hunters. I also suffers from an “image problem” with other hunters, who condemn predators because of long-held prejudices or who fear falconers will take “all the game”. The first prejudice can be changed by education. For those that hold the second, consider a few realities.
First, falconers are the most regulated hunters in the country. A prospective falconer first must find a sponsor from within the ranks of licensed falconers. Then he has to go through a two year apprentice stage, pass a rigorous written, and trap and train one of the common birds of prey. After this period, the falconer must undergo another test to graduate to a “general” license, at which point he is allowed to take young birds and fly any un-endangered species. Finally, after five years of general experience, he may elect to take still another test and to on to the “master” status, with its privilege of flying rarer species under certain conditions. In addition to these stringent rules, the falconer’s hawk house or “mews” must conform to exact Federal specifications and is open to on-the-spot inspection at any time. All this may seem fair, but is Federal law and is supported by falconers.
Second, falconry is the hardest way of taking any game. The daily hours devoted to bird care and inevitable difficulties of using a “weapon” with of mind of it’s own result in falconer taking much smaller bags than shooters do, even though some states allow them longer seasons. I have taken many ruffed grouse with a shotgun, but, although wild goshawks are certainly capable of catching them. I have never caught one with a hawk. A hawk hunting all day might finally surprise a grouse, but one disadvantaged by having to ride a man’s hand rarely has a chance. The sport of falconry resides in the challenge of overcoming its inherent difficulties.
In these days of threats to hunting, falconers and gun hunters must make common cause. Falconers often fear that uninformed shooters may kill a bird that has cost them a lot of effort and at least a year’s training time. Shooters unfamiliar with the sport may resent falconers’ imagined air of arrogance --- often the fear mentioned above – or blame them for taking too much game. Education can, and must, end these fears. In England fields-sports groups have decided that an attack on even the smallest segment of the sporting community is an attack on all, so that any attack on falconry or coursing or fox hunting will bring a response from more than just the tiny minorities that follow these endangered sports.
These days the sportsman can be encouraged by the emergence of those who hunt with falcon and with gun. Many members of the North American Falconers’ Association (NAFA), including myself and the president of the organization, have been NRA members for years. The editor of the NAFA Journal hunts elk and mule deer with a .338 and a .270, and birds with a Winchester Model 12. Prominent falconer Frank Bond managed the campaign for New Mexico’s pro-gun, pro-hunting Senator Pete Domenici. This kind of mutual interest and knowledge can only be good for both shooters and falconers.
If you don’t know a falconer, try to seek one out. Watching him work with his birds may give you a new insight on how things work “out there,” one that and only help your hunting. It will certainly thrill you. And remember, speak up the next time anybody knocks any kind of honest hunting, whether or not you practice it. As Benjamin Franklin sad at the down for the American Revolution, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall hand separately.”
Monday, November 23, 2009
Game Bird Producers and Falconers
Game Bird Farmers and Falconers
By Kitty Tolson Carroll
Game bird farmers and falconers historically have been at odds with each other. Raptors, especially great horned owls, have harassed game bird breeders for centuries. In response, many have used lethal control of raptor "pests," by using pole traps, by shooting, and such means.
Such methods are now illegal. Nowadays, if the general public found out that a game bird breeder used such methods, there would be a major outcry. Lethal control methods for raptors must not occur -- the negative publicity from such activities could put some of the game farmers out of business. Yet for some game bird breeders, lethal control of raptors could be worth the risk (we've all heard of the s.s.s. method of pest control: "Shoot, Shovel & Shut-up").
Some game bird farmers are pushing for an allowance for lethal control of raptors on their farms (see March, 2002 Wildlife Harvest, Vol. 33, No. 3). While I feel that using lethal control on raptors probably would have little impact on raptor populations, the public relations nightmare we all would undergo if this came to pass, I feel, would adversely affect hunting sports everywhere. I feel that the negative image that lethal control can give the general public is far more devastating to game bird farmers than the losses of their birds in the first place.
A Modest Proposal
My proposal is that game bird farmers and falconers work together to lower the impact of wild raptors on their livelihoods. Once or twice, I've mentioned this cooperation to fellow falconers. Several have said they don't want to deal with "canned hunting preserves."
My response is, "What do you think bagged quarry is? Where do you think the chukkar or quail you released under your falcon originally came from?"
Remember, bagged quarry is strictly illegal in Great Britain. That has come about because of the negative impression the mostly urban public got from the idea of setting up such an artificial "hunt." Like it or not, those virulent anti-hunting and animal rights trends which started across the Atlantic have reached our shores. They have been very active and vocal in the U.S. for about 20 years.
I see a mutual need between game bird producers and falconers. Breeders need the expertise of a licensed falconer to assist them with problem raptors, while falconers need game bird farmers to NOT travel the route toward lethal control, for our own well-being in the public eye.
Let me list just a few ways falconers can help game bird farmers: falconers can legally trap and remove offending raptors; we can recommend housing improvements and alternative facilities to better protect the young game birds; we can help them discover ways to provide a barrier net that the raptor will hit before it hits the pens themselves (causing real havoc and stress to the game birds); we can also direct that the farmers set up a pigeon loft away from their game bird pens to distract the hawks and owls away from the "cash crop."
As many falconers know, pigeons are more self-sufficient than game birds, and they are not nearly as much labor or overhead involved in keeping a pigeon loft. As many of us have also experienced, the flashy pigeons will often be targeted by raptors before other birds.
They key is to educate the breeder that he/she needs to modify all facilities -- indeed his or her very approach to game bird farming -- to minimize future losses.
Getting Down to Basics
Great horned owls (and barred owls) like to sit on pens at night, panicking the birds within. The owls then pull body parts through the enclosure. Hawks sometimes do this in the daytime. I've spoken with several biologist/falconers about this issue, and the primary way we've come up with to prevent this very serious and real problem is to use a double-netting system for the pens. The first layer of netting is for confining the game birds. Next, the facility should leave a six-foot dead space. Finally the whole is enclosed by a canopy net to keep a sufficient distance between marauding raptors and the pens themselves. Another facility improvement that I'd highly recommend is for them to build a "save haven" area where the game birds can hide from the predator, either aerial or ground.
More specific alterations to management practices include the employment of a pest management program involving live catch box traps for ground predators, and a Swedish goshawk trap for raptors (plans for raptor traps are available in game bird manuals, so handing out this information is not breaching any ethical barrier); all of which need to be implemented and managed year-round. Another major problem I've seen in my experience with game bird producers is that, in many cases, they blame raptors for ground predator incursions. Educating game bird farmers that pest management -- all kinds of pest management -- is a continuous process will be a key to the establishment of a long-term relationship with them.
Another solution involves keeping bantam game hens with the game birds, especially having the game hens raise the "cash crop" chicks. In my experience, this seems to teach the game birds how to avoid being eaten and the importance of taking evasive action.
Establishing a loft of pigeons to attract the avian predators away from the cash crop gamebirds. Barn/feral pigeons are inexpensive and very low-labor to maintain. The pigeons flashy style of flight attracts raptors away from the more expensive and vulnerable game birds. Pigeons are also useful for training bird dogs. And if you have some of the fancier breeds, they are quite an attractive addition to your preserve.
Electric fencing also helps to prevent ground predator losses.
Finally, adequate cover is essential for released birds. I've also found that keeping bantam game hens in these areas facilitates better survival rates of released birds.
Game bird breeders also have to learn to accept a manageable loss ratio from predation as simply a part of doing business in this field. Many must be reminded that they are literally offering a smorgasbord of tasty, fluttering game birds to attract any predator.
I have approached several game bird farms with my expertise in helping with problem raptors. They are normally curious about falconry, although some do have a hatred of raptors.
Actually, I can understand their feelings. I feel that way about raccoons. I've had much damage done to my pigeon loft and game bird pens by the masked bandits. Because if this, I do not expect the game farm owner to be as enchanted with raptors as I.
When I show them a falconry hunt, I simply want them to become more educated in how a raptor thinks, and to teach them ways to reduce game bird losses to raptors. I make many of the above specific suggestions to them. Then I help them set and attain some of these goals.
You as a falconer can barter for hunting rights during the non-gunning season, or for birds for your own raptor, in return for the service you're rendering. I've found game bird farmers to be quite receptive to help once they get over their suspicions. And everyone benefits in the long run.
I also suggest that you join and support pro-gun and hunting organizations. The National Rifle Association (www.nra.org); U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (www.ussportsmen.org); The National Animal Interest Alliance (www.naiaonline.org); and the North American Gamebird Association (www.naga.org), to name but a few. You might want to offer to sponsor them for North American Falconer's Association membership. They then will have the knowledge and tools to understand that we are also concerned with the same issues. That you hold memberships in such organizations will tell them that you, as a falconer, support the rights of all hunters, anglers, and trappers.
Here are some of the overseas websites to educate yourself about the anti-hunting, animal rights issues happening all over Europe: www.countryside-alliance.org; www.scottishcountrysidealliance.org; and PETA has an "action/alert" section we all should monitor. I noted recently that it has over 450 entries of mostly animal cruelty cases which they post to this alert page: http://www.peta.org/alert/automation/AlertItem.asp?id=450
All of us field sports enthusiasts need to stand together. We cannot be on the defensive any longer. We must be very proactive in projecting a positive image of falconry and all field sports, so it behooves us to help our game bird farmer brothers.
________________
Kitty Tolson Carroll has been licensed as a falconer since 1974. She has trained and flown accipiters, falcons, and buteos (and is training her first golden eagle), in the field on game. She was initially asked to give a small presentation on birds of prey and falconry in 1980. Since then, her lectures have evolved into a professional free flying presentation featuring owls, hawks and falcons. She performs at renaissance, medieval, historical, Scottish, and agricultural fairs and modern themed events.
She also does consulting work for pest bird problems in cities, stadiums, game bird farms, airports, production plants and warehouses. She emphasizes no poison/chemical methods for controlling pest populations.
You can contact Kitty at: Accipiter Enterprises, Educational Birds of Prey, 15209 165th Road, Live Oak, Florida, 32060. Phone: 386-776-1960. Web page: www.birdsofprey.net; Email: Hawkmom74@birdsofprey.net
Update: Since this article was written. In 2007, The US Fish & Wildlife Service now issues abatement permits to falconers who wish to use raptors for pest bird control. I hold one.
By Kitty Tolson Carroll
Game bird farmers and falconers historically have been at odds with each other. Raptors, especially great horned owls, have harassed game bird breeders for centuries. In response, many have used lethal control of raptor "pests," by using pole traps, by shooting, and such means.
Such methods are now illegal. Nowadays, if the general public found out that a game bird breeder used such methods, there would be a major outcry. Lethal control methods for raptors must not occur -- the negative publicity from such activities could put some of the game farmers out of business. Yet for some game bird breeders, lethal control of raptors could be worth the risk (we've all heard of the s.s.s. method of pest control: "Shoot, Shovel & Shut-up").
Some game bird farmers are pushing for an allowance for lethal control of raptors on their farms (see March, 2002 Wildlife Harvest, Vol. 33, No. 3). While I feel that using lethal control on raptors probably would have little impact on raptor populations, the public relations nightmare we all would undergo if this came to pass, I feel, would adversely affect hunting sports everywhere. I feel that the negative image that lethal control can give the general public is far more devastating to game bird farmers than the losses of their birds in the first place.
A Modest Proposal
My proposal is that game bird farmers and falconers work together to lower the impact of wild raptors on their livelihoods. Once or twice, I've mentioned this cooperation to fellow falconers. Several have said they don't want to deal with "canned hunting preserves."
My response is, "What do you think bagged quarry is? Where do you think the chukkar or quail you released under your falcon originally came from?"
Remember, bagged quarry is strictly illegal in Great Britain. That has come about because of the negative impression the mostly urban public got from the idea of setting up such an artificial "hunt." Like it or not, those virulent anti-hunting and animal rights trends which started across the Atlantic have reached our shores. They have been very active and vocal in the U.S. for about 20 years.
I see a mutual need between game bird producers and falconers. Breeders need the expertise of a licensed falconer to assist them with problem raptors, while falconers need game bird farmers to NOT travel the route toward lethal control, for our own well-being in the public eye.
Let me list just a few ways falconers can help game bird farmers: falconers can legally trap and remove offending raptors; we can recommend housing improvements and alternative facilities to better protect the young game birds; we can help them discover ways to provide a barrier net that the raptor will hit before it hits the pens themselves (causing real havoc and stress to the game birds); we can also direct that the farmers set up a pigeon loft away from their game bird pens to distract the hawks and owls away from the "cash crop."
As many falconers know, pigeons are more self-sufficient than game birds, and they are not nearly as much labor or overhead involved in keeping a pigeon loft. As many of us have also experienced, the flashy pigeons will often be targeted by raptors before other birds.
They key is to educate the breeder that he/she needs to modify all facilities -- indeed his or her very approach to game bird farming -- to minimize future losses.
Getting Down to Basics
Great horned owls (and barred owls) like to sit on pens at night, panicking the birds within. The owls then pull body parts through the enclosure. Hawks sometimes do this in the daytime. I've spoken with several biologist/falconers about this issue, and the primary way we've come up with to prevent this very serious and real problem is to use a double-netting system for the pens. The first layer of netting is for confining the game birds. Next, the facility should leave a six-foot dead space. Finally the whole is enclosed by a canopy net to keep a sufficient distance between marauding raptors and the pens themselves. Another facility improvement that I'd highly recommend is for them to build a "save haven" area where the game birds can hide from the predator, either aerial or ground.
More specific alterations to management practices include the employment of a pest management program involving live catch box traps for ground predators, and a Swedish goshawk trap for raptors (plans for raptor traps are available in game bird manuals, so handing out this information is not breaching any ethical barrier); all of which need to be implemented and managed year-round. Another major problem I've seen in my experience with game bird producers is that, in many cases, they blame raptors for ground predator incursions. Educating game bird farmers that pest management -- all kinds of pest management -- is a continuous process will be a key to the establishment of a long-term relationship with them.
Another solution involves keeping bantam game hens with the game birds, especially having the game hens raise the "cash crop" chicks. In my experience, this seems to teach the game birds how to avoid being eaten and the importance of taking evasive action.
Establishing a loft of pigeons to attract the avian predators away from the cash crop gamebirds. Barn/feral pigeons are inexpensive and very low-labor to maintain. The pigeons flashy style of flight attracts raptors away from the more expensive and vulnerable game birds. Pigeons are also useful for training bird dogs. And if you have some of the fancier breeds, they are quite an attractive addition to your preserve.
Electric fencing also helps to prevent ground predator losses.
Finally, adequate cover is essential for released birds. I've also found that keeping bantam game hens in these areas facilitates better survival rates of released birds.
Game bird breeders also have to learn to accept a manageable loss ratio from predation as simply a part of doing business in this field. Many must be reminded that they are literally offering a smorgasbord of tasty, fluttering game birds to attract any predator.
I have approached several game bird farms with my expertise in helping with problem raptors. They are normally curious about falconry, although some do have a hatred of raptors.
Actually, I can understand their feelings. I feel that way about raccoons. I've had much damage done to my pigeon loft and game bird pens by the masked bandits. Because if this, I do not expect the game farm owner to be as enchanted with raptors as I.
When I show them a falconry hunt, I simply want them to become more educated in how a raptor thinks, and to teach them ways to reduce game bird losses to raptors. I make many of the above specific suggestions to them. Then I help them set and attain some of these goals.
You as a falconer can barter for hunting rights during the non-gunning season, or for birds for your own raptor, in return for the service you're rendering. I've found game bird farmers to be quite receptive to help once they get over their suspicions. And everyone benefits in the long run.
I also suggest that you join and support pro-gun and hunting organizations. The National Rifle Association (www.nra.org); U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (www.ussportsmen.org); The National Animal Interest Alliance (www.naiaonline.org); and the North American Gamebird Association (www.naga.org), to name but a few. You might want to offer to sponsor them for North American Falconer's Association membership. They then will have the knowledge and tools to understand that we are also concerned with the same issues. That you hold memberships in such organizations will tell them that you, as a falconer, support the rights of all hunters, anglers, and trappers.
Here are some of the overseas websites to educate yourself about the anti-hunting, animal rights issues happening all over Europe: www.countryside-alliance.org; www.scottishcountrysidealliance.org; and PETA has an "action/alert" section we all should monitor. I noted recently that it has over 450 entries of mostly animal cruelty cases which they post to this alert page: http://www.peta.org/alert/automation/AlertItem.asp?id=450
All of us field sports enthusiasts need to stand together. We cannot be on the defensive any longer. We must be very proactive in projecting a positive image of falconry and all field sports, so it behooves us to help our game bird farmer brothers.
________________
Kitty Tolson Carroll has been licensed as a falconer since 1974. She has trained and flown accipiters, falcons, and buteos (and is training her first golden eagle), in the field on game. She was initially asked to give a small presentation on birds of prey and falconry in 1980. Since then, her lectures have evolved into a professional free flying presentation featuring owls, hawks and falcons. She performs at renaissance, medieval, historical, Scottish, and agricultural fairs and modern themed events.
She also does consulting work for pest bird problems in cities, stadiums, game bird farms, airports, production plants and warehouses. She emphasizes no poison/chemical methods for controlling pest populations.
You can contact Kitty at: Accipiter Enterprises, Educational Birds of Prey, 15209 165th Road, Live Oak, Florida, 32060. Phone: 386-776-1960. Web page: www.birdsofprey.net; Email: Hawkmom74@birdsofprey.net
Update: Since this article was written. In 2007, The US Fish & Wildlife Service now issues abatement permits to falconers who wish to use raptors for pest bird control. I hold one.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Banning of hunting videos and photos?
This is an important case for hunters and outdoors persons to watch:
http://www.nrahuntersrights.org/Article.aspx?id=2170
http://www.nrahuntersrights.org/Article.aspx?id=2170
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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.....
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.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)