Dear MNR - I have been a…

Dear MNR - I have been a casual but astute observer of the OHC for some years and while I have no affiliation with the club and am not a falconer myself, I only wish upon another aspect of nature to have such wonderful, amazing, caring and hospitable curators and conservationists. I've met falconers on three continents and continue to find those in Ontario almost in a class of their own. I've seen them care for birds with attention and respect that rivals those of other animal owners, amplified by their sheer knowledge and experience, which even some exotic vets come to rely on. I have no doubt that if this proposal is accepted, they will continue to behave in the exact same manner and with outmost respect to both both the raptors and the discipline of falconry.

In terms of the actual issue at hand, I believe this removes somewhat unfair restrictions that have placed falconers who a) haven't won the lottery or b) cannot afford to buy a bird from a breeder. There isn't a huge line up to become falconers in droves because the sport itself is very demanding and the training quite grueling, so I cannot imagine this to also cause an oversupply of new falconers. This simply makes the laws a bit more accessible and in line with what's happening elsewhere in Canada, the US, Europe and South America. It also will result in better falconers because they're going to partake in a fuller experience in the life of a bird which will further increase their knowledge and appreciation. I'd expect more birds to survive their first winters as a result as well, potentially even helping with population - and with being able to release birds back, it will offer a better continuity of life than for those purchased from breeders.

In short, I believe the upside of this change is monumental, liberating and exhilarating for Ontario falconers. They've proven they can be trusted as trustees of this age old discipline, and when the lottery was introduced a few years ago, they've again proven to be more than responsible with what was allowed. I hope wholeheartedly this proposal passes without delay and triggers another chapter in life of our falconers and the raptors in Ontario.