Rick, tweeters,

I don't know if you'll get beaten if you play a tape to attract a Barred Owl
in Discovery Park Seattle), but I concur with some of the other responses you
received, why call when you can find the birds without calling. In Discovery
Park I've seen Barred Owls on several occasions (never called, mostly just
"put in my time" and got lucky.
In addition to searching for Barred Owls above the treatment plant, you might
also check the wooded area directly west of the Visitors Center. Stop by the
Visitors Center and check the box with bird observation cards or talk to one
of the naturalists (see if Penny is there) for information on where to look.
In response to what might happen if you hoot for the owls. For the past
several years, wildlife biologists employed by Parametrix (hired by METRO),
were monitoring several bird species (eagles, owls, waterfowl) in the park to
determine possible impact of treatment plant expansion.
One of my favorite stories is when one of the biologists one day was calling
for Barred Owl and he got a nice, but somewhat distant response. He moved
towards the sound, occasionally calling. The response got stronger. It sounded
somewhat offbeat to him though. Almost like the call of the eastern Barred Owl
he grew up with.
Time passed and the caller and respondent got closer. But, no owl was visible.
He did run into Gene Hunn (I believe that's who it was, too bad Gene is in
Mexico or he could corroborate this story) so he asked him if he had been
hearing the Barred Owl. To which Gene responded with "that was me." Turns out
Gene did learn his Barred Owl call from eastern tapes...
So I don't think you'll get arrested. I'm pretty sure you won't get beaten
(the only time I was threatened by someone carrying a large stick was when I
asked him not to climb the barrier closing off the path near the Bald Eagle
nest tree), but I wouldn't guarantee you'll get the response you're hoping
for... :)

Martin Muller, Seattle
martinmuller at msn.com