I have always had an…

I have always had an interest in birds of prey and the sport of falconry. Over the years I have spoken with many falconers mostly from Ontario and some from the US. In all of my questions that I have lambasted them with there are a few in particular that have stood with me in the for front.

I believe this change is in the best interest of the birds. 80% of first year birds die, either from inexperience or starvation. By a falconer working with these birds they get more solid hunting skills. Skills that will ensure that the bird when released again will go on to live a long, strong life to be able to procreate and add to the populations. That is conservation.

These birds are not considered pets by the falconers they share a relationship with. They never lose their wild aspect which allows for a release that does not affect the bird at all as they return immediately to their natural habitat and life with no lasting effects of their time in the falconers care other than the above mentioned skills to carry them forward to a long life.

I strongly agree with this set of proposals and would like to see them implemented both for the improvement of the sport of falconry and more importantly for the benefit of the birds.