As I understand it, a falconer can only fly a raptor at legal prey species in the open season e.g. the bird would be regarded as a gun, so whatever one could shoot with a gun, one could fly a raptor at it (assuming they had the landowner's permission of course. ) The open season for shooting comes to an end very shortly (1st Feb) and the close season then runs till 31st August. Any shooting of birds in that period is an offence, with certain exceptions for species which are regarded as agricultural pests.
-- Edited by Judith Smith on Friday 28th of January 2011 08:49:19 PM
Paul Heaton said
Fri Jan 28 8:43 AM, 2011
Helen the law is very complicated on this matter will send you a pm.
Nick Hilton said
Thu Jan 27 9:14 PM, 2011
Helen - RSPCA would be able to advise (shocking attitude by the falconer!)
Pete Welch said
Thu Jan 27 7:58 PM, 2011
Thanks Paul, that could have been the one but I guess as a popular novice falconers bird quite a few go missing!
Helen, a quick Google states that the Landowners permission must be obtained for falconry - not sure if that helps, Peter
Helen Jones said
Thu Jan 27 3:42 PM, 2011
At the end of last week, my dad-in-law was walking a chihuahua through Buile Hill Park and a Harris Hawk tried to take it. Luckily dog was OK, the bird didn't get a good grip on it, although dad-in-law needed stitches and a tetanus shot.
Does anyone know if there are any laws around where these birds can be flown? The owner saw what happened but was just annoyed with my dad-in-law for trying to get the bird off the dog, and police haven't been any help.
Paul Heaton said
Wed Jan 26 10:42 PM, 2011
Peter a female Harris Hawk was collected by the RSPCA in Oldham yesterday,perhaps it is the same bird,sadly the registration papers have not been kept up to date, so no owner is known.
Pete Welch said
Wed Jan 26 9:20 PM, 2011
Had brief views of a puzzling buzzard type bird sitting on the fence at Junction 20 M62 A627M junction on Saturday on the way back from Dovestones. From the quick glance I got it was heavily streaked [not barred] on the top half of the breast and a rufous brown on the lower half. Can't think what it was but I thought I'd read of an escaped Harris Hawk somewhere to the east of Manchester and wondered if there were any records of hybrids at all? Sadly it'll be one of those "I'll never know for sure..." but that's all I can think it was unless there's a Falconer who's lost a juvenile... Cheers, Peter
-- Edited by Judith Smith on Friday 28th of January 2011 08:49:19 PM
Helen, a quick Google states that the Landowners permission must be obtained for falconry - not sure if that helps, Peter
Does anyone know if there are any laws around where these birds can be flown? The owner saw what happened but was just annoyed with my dad-in-law for trying to get the bird off the dog, and police haven't been any help.