Comment
I have been a licensed North American falconer since 1973.
Anyone working with raptors understands how difficult their lot in life is particularly for first year birds. Raptors in geographical areas with rough winters experience mortality rates in the 60+ percent range. In the United States only first year (passage) birds may be collected for use in falconry.
Adults (haggards) are left alone, these birds have figured out how to survive winter and produce offspring for years to come.
All raptors are not created equal. There are the Einstein's that learn quickly and there are the Forest Gump's that take a very long time to develop. These last do not survive their first winter, if these are in the hands of a competent falconer, chances of survival improve drastically.
There are no better conservationists, there are no stronger advocates for raptors than falconers.
Falconry is for the birds!
Submitted September 30, 2020 11:16 AM
Comment on
Proposal to expand the live capture of wild raptors (birds of prey) by licensed falconers
ERO number
019-1806
Comment ID
48686
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Comment status