Please accept the following…

Please accept the following comments regarding the proposal to enrich the practice of Falconry within Ontario. I am submitting this letter as a confirmation of my full support for the implementation of the Notice identified within Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO)# 019-1806, the “Proposal to expand the live capture of wild raptors (birds of prey) by licensed falconers”
I have been a falconer for 31 years (a licensed falconer since the inception of the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Act, 1999) and a proud member of the Ontario Hawking Club (OHC) since 1989.This proposal is another milestone for instilling the falconry tradition within Ontario (and as well as nationally). I would like to first commend and express my appreciation to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in providing this prospect to Ontario falconers by expanding the privilege of obtaining specific birds of prey from the wild, i.e. including the opportunity to acquire Goshawks and eliminating the need for a lottery to acquire the more common raptor species (Coopers, Sharp Shin, merlin, Red-tailed hawks. The level of interest of common species has no impact to the population, and therefore no need to intentionally limit by lottery the acquisition of these birds from the wild. This decision is foremost based upon science-based data and the trusted relationship that Ontario licensed falconers have fostered with the MNRF in regards to the responsibility, accountability, humanly treat of the birds trapped, abiding to the legal requirements to practice falconry within Ontario.
This advances the Art of Falconry in Ontario which would further augment the intimacy I (and fellow falconers) share with birds of prey and create the opportunity to fly species which may not be available to me through other sources. The MNRF is presenting an approach that has been implemented and continues to be successfully applied within the majority of jurisdictions within Canada and the U.S.A. This proposal aligns the province of Ontario with these jurisdictions where it has been scientifically established that the wild take from stable raptor populations for use in falconry is environmentally inconsequential and is a fully sustainable activity, there is no plausible reason that the proposal will not succeed and ultimately is conservatively sound. ERO# 019-1806 describes a very conservative management strategy that would not compromise the selected raptor populations due to the limited number of falconers within Ontario.

The proposal promotes the preservation of the traditions of falconry in Ontario (Nationally and Internationally), this highlights the declaration by UNESCO which has recognized falconry as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. A rewarding outcome of my experiences with falconry was the positive repercussions it has had upon my family (friends, general public) in their understanding of our environment, and the need to live harmoniously within it. It reminds them (us) of our dependence on the environment and each other as all living things are interdependent. It fosters strong family ties in a time of technological distractions and ultimately, we share in the sacredness of the cycle of life. This is what defines falconry as a legacy and the deeply rooted tradition of trapping wild raptors will continue to promote this consciousness. Falconers are foremost conservationists and this is clearly evident with the remarkable recovery of the Peregrine falcon in North America. Where falconers have been at the forefront of this recovery by applying their knowledge of the Peregrine falcon, employing falconry techniques in regards to husbandry, breeding, hacking, and participating in developing strategies for the recovery. In fact, the activity proposed by ERO# 019-1806 will also have a subtle enhancement of the wild raptor populations. Within the proposal it states the activity is “neutral” in fact it’s not neutral as stated within the proposal but it should state it has a “positive” impact. The acquisition of a raptor from the wild should not be catalogued as “consumptive” but as nature’s loan to a falconer. Once the decision is made by either the falconer, the cherished companion can be returned to the wild as an healthy adult, acutely aware of the dangers and as an experienced hunter. A self-dependent, a breeder for propagating more offspring. I had the privilege of trapping, training and practicing falconry with a male Coopers hawk for 3 years. When I decided to release him back to the wild, the hawk had acquired the necessary skills of a proficient hunter and agile flyer, significantly improving his survival in the wild and becoming a viable breeder for the species. As described, this is nature’s loan with a little interest paid, and I was honored to have contributed to his survival within the wild. Under the security and husbandry of the falconer the hawk will always be provided ample opportunity to develop and strengthen flight and hunting skills. The falconer will provide a healthy meal if the hawk is unsuccessful in the hunt, medical attention if required, and protection from the elements of weather/predators. Yet it will maintain its wild demeanor as desired, its innate awareness of danger and as such when the bird is returned to the wild it will have a greater chance of surviving in contrast to its first-year wild counterpart. This is the way that falconry has been practiced for thousands of years. Releasing birds back to the wild to breed in the spring, and trapping a young bird the next fall season are an important falconry tradition.

We are in charged with being good stewards of the earth and are entrusted with maintaining and using its natural resources in a sustainable/responsible way and this proposal reflects this decree. As expressed, Falconers have played an important role in raptor conservation and by expanding access to wild birds, the MNRF is encouraging a more active conservation and citizen science. The OHC has been promoting the “citizen scientist” amongst its members to contribute to the conservation effort. A couple examples is the “Goshawk Blitz” which has been occurring annually in March to locate potential Goshawk breeding sites in southern Ontario. Using a recorded female Goshawk call to illicit a response from potential female staking its territory. The excitement that this brings when you hear in the distance the “kak kak kak” of a goshawk as it slowly approaches your location and does a fly-by is totally thrilling, and exhilarating. Then to walk away after this brief contact is fulfilling to know that you had located a species that is quite elusive and secretive but not as rare as one would think, and in a small way knowing that you have contributed to understanding this species. This data has been catalogued by the OHC Past President and believe has been shared with the
MNRF. The other is the Kestrel nest box placement initiative to enhance the breeding of this raptor and promote the study and collection of kestrel breeding data. Falconers are genuine ambassadors of conservation, there are a number of OHC falconers who voluntarily share their experiences and knowledge to the public (formally or informally during field encounters). Not only in regards to Falconry as it is practiced, the birds it engages with and game pursued but to educate and make the public aware of the valid environmental stressors on our ecosystems. This is vital in promoting the roots of stewardship of our natural resources among the general public making them aware of issues and not distracted by political rhetoric. The proposal to expand the capture raptors for falconry will offer valuable scientific data for Ontario Wildlife Managers, as raptors are an apex predator they are the barometer to the health of our environment. Such collaboration will provide data such as nesting densities, clutch sizes, physical metrics of the birds, reproductive success, and provide material (ex. feathers) for toxicological analysis if desired.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my comments and express my contentment and full support of this proposal ERO# 019-1806.

Sincerely yours, in conservation