Intimate knowledge gained…

Intimate knowledge gained through access to wild raptors by falconers can, and has, had important benefits. As an example- the most successful reintroduction of a species, the Peregrine Falcon, was led primarily by falconers.
Supporting evidence provided by Ontario falconers through annual nesting surveys, has led the MNRF to add the Goshawk to the list of those raptors to be accessed (limit of 5 total for the province as outlined in this proposal).

The species to be accessed by falconers are stable and will have no impact on wild populations. These include the RedTailed Hawk, Coopers Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin and with this proposal the Goshawk.
The limited access to wild raptors by falconers has been extensively studied concluding that this activity has no impact on wild raptor populations and should therefore be permitted as outlined in the proposal.

Upwards of 75% of first year immature raptors will die of starvation during their first winter. It is from this population only that raptors would be accessed by falconers. Wild taken raptors are routinely released by falconers back to the wild after a year or two of successful hunting which will significantly increase their chances of survival.

I have a friend that is a falconer and I support the proposal