The proposed regulations…

The proposed regulations support the health of wild raptor populations. Because 70% of passage raptors do not survive their first year, falconers trapping passage birds of select abundant species does not impact the number of raptors surviving in the wild, and actually increases survivorship as young birds gain experience hunting in partnership with a falconer through the tough winter season. If the birds are later released, they are more likely to survive to breeding age.

This system outlined in the proposed regulations has been used successfully in most areas of the United States and benefits both raptors and falconers. Falconers having the opportunity to trap young raptors of abundant species, is valuable as it requires falconers to watch and learn the habits of these birds. Falconers can sometimes identify problems a species is facing and contribute valuable information.

Additionally falconry is a thousands year old tradition of working in collaboration with wild raptors to become partners in hunting and is predicated on deep respect for wild raptors.