My sister is a falconer in…

My sister is a falconer in Ontario and was able to legally catch a redtail hawk from the wild. This is an important tradition in falconry, and has been declared as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. I feel that it’s very important to strengthen this tradition in Ontario.

Falconers learn more by trapping a bird in the wild, as they will be able to engage with the raptor who has not been raised or influenced by humans. With the removal of the lottery, this will mean that every falconer and apprentice will have access to birds for their training, instead of having to wait years to obtain a licence or purchase one from a breeder.

In addition, falconers have always been important with the conservation of raptors including the endangered Peregrine Falcon. The Ontario Hawking Club has been monitoring the goshawk population in Ontario, and I support Proposal ERO 019-1806 very strongly for this reason.

Adding goshawks to the list of species allowed for wild take will only help protecting them, because of the level of care that falconers give their birds. The then often release these birds back into the wild during breeding seasons. In fact, it was due to falconers that the goshawk were reintroduced in Britain after they had gone extinct in the 18th and 19th centuries due to human extermination.

The cycle of trapping raptors by humans and then training with them in the ancient art of falconry, with the option of releasing at the end of hunting cycle can only help in conservation. It means the birds are healthier going back into the wild during spring and increase their breeding potential. Wild takes by falconers have never harmed a species' recovery, only helped it.

Thank you for your time!