I have been a falconer for…

I have been a falconer for over 40 years. I have spent many years enjoying my time spent outdoors in the fall and winters flying my falcons. I contributed my time and energy to the re-establishment of the Peregrine Falcon. I have helped with the OHC Goshawk surveys that have been shared with the MNRF to build a data base to better understand the larger than thought of populations of these hawks to allow a small amount to be used in Falconry. I have volunteered much of my personal time and money to rehab merlins and peregrines to be released back into the wild. As anyone that truly understands birds of prey, you need to use Falconry techniques to properly rehab a injured young hawk or falcon to bring them back to a certain fitness level and released at a time when the weather is best suited and young prey animals abounds. Falconers are very dedicated to the birds placed in their trust. I have found they also give back unselfishly when asked to help in the conservation or care of a wounded bird of prey. I whole heartily agree that this proposal should go through.