On Sun, 15 Feb 1998, Michael P Dossett wrote:

>
> >> Responsible falconers rarely take adult birds,
> >
> > It is NEVER legal to take adult birds.
> > the regs are clear on this.
>
> Yes, the regs are clear on this, but they say that "It is unlawful to
> trap a raptor originally taken after it attains adult plumage . . .
> unless prior permission has been obtained by the director."

Michael--

the way it was stated in your post implied it was possible
to trap adult birds. That's what I responded to.
The WA State falconry exam has a question on it with that
option indicated as a possible answer..if you select it
you get it wrong.



This
> "clause" is supposed to only refer to raptors which have been reported as
> lost, but there is room for interpretation by unscrupulous persons. They
> are currently in the process of rewriting the federal regs. Also like I
> said before, some people just ignore the laws.

this seems far-fetched to me. Why would a falconer want
to trap an adult bird..and if it has no band, who would
buy it?


>
> > I know of no falconer who would do this. If you do, I urge
> > you to contact DNR and report this activity..sooner the better.
>
> I don't know anyone who would do this either, but I have heard plenty of
> stories about people like this, who have just disregarded the laws, and
> it is these people which we need to watch out for.
>
Why is it a problem if you don't know any actual cases?


> >> sometimes trying to sell them to others as being captive bred.
> >There are
> >> laws to help prevent this, saying that you have to have a raptor
> >breeding
> >> permit, and the young have to be wearing a special seamless band.
> >>
> > this seems contradictory..i.e, falconers cannot keep a bird
> > without a seamless band, so who would buy an illegal bird?
> > no falconer who wanted to keep his license would do such
> > a thing.
>
> Only captive bred birds are allowed to wear this special band. Birds
> being sold as captive bred without the bands aree obviously illegal.
> Thats the whole point of having to wear the band, it makes it harder for
> people to make money off wild birds. Is it more clear now?
>
re-read my statement..that's what I said. No falconer
would buy an illegal bird..(i.e., one without a band)


> >> Too bad there are so many knuckleheads out there.
> >>
> > again...if you have any knowledge of knuckleheads, as you
> > put it, turn them in...report them right away.
>
> I don't personally know any of these knuckleheads, but I have heard about
> them, and you must assume that there are always going to be a few bad
> apples out there. Am I more clear now?
>
> I guess I don't get it, Michael. If you don't know any
actual cases, then why it is a problem? Either there are
some,or there are just stories..sort of like urban legends,
I guess. I stand by my orginal statement -- if anyone ever
actually comes up with actual illegal activity, then it
should be reported to the appropriate authority.
>
>
Tom