As a lifelong bird watcher…

As a lifelong bird watcher and bird enthusiast, I fully support the proposed changes to increase the number of birds that falconers are allowed to take. In my local birding group we have 2 falconers and it is amazing the relationship they have with their birds. They always take the time to educate newcomers to the group about falconry and the hawks themselves, and the kids just love seeing the birds up close. The falconers always take terrific care of their birds - they are like a member of their family now. I don't see why taking a few more birds from the wild to be put in their capable hands would be a problem, since so many young hawks don't survive their first year anyway.

Thanks for your time.