Subject: Three Dead Ravens dangling from a tree
Date: May 16 18:11:31 1999
From: Mike Patterson - mpatters at OregonVOS.net


The answer is... it depends.

Technically, ravens are protected at this time of year (there might be
a raven season at the same time as crow season.) But if a farmer or
rancher can show economic loss as a result ravens or any other bird,
they may remove the offending species. Ravens have been known to kill
newly born sheep and cattle by poking at their eyes (Heinrich, Ravens
in Winter, 1989.) They also eat the occasional duck egg which some
find offensive.

The hanging of predators is meant (and I'm not making this up) as
warning to other predators. I first encountered it in Harney Co. OR
where hanging dead coyotes was a common practice. A guy in Warrenton, OR
near Astoria was hanging crows until very recently. He has apparently
stopped. My guess is it was not considered a positive welcome to those
passing through on their way to Ft. Stevens and the Chamber of Commerce
had a chat with him...

Arlen Fletcher wrote:
>
> My wife and I decided to explore Turnbull NWR (SW of Spokane) yesterday
> afternoon. On the way there we passed a cattle ranch with a large
> deciduous tree in the cattle yard. Hanging from the tree, suspended like
> Christmas ornaments, were three large - very dead - black birds. We
> initially thought they were Turkey Vultures because of the size and the
> color. Each was suspended by a leg with a piece of bailing twine. This
> morning I returned to the ranch and, with the sun in a more favorable
> position, aimed the spotting scope at the dangling carcasses.
> It appears that they are Ravens - not TV's as we had initially thought.
> Nevertheless, I'm wondering if these birds are protected, and what
> course of action I should take. Any thoughts will be appreciated.
>
> -Arlen
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> "I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on I go
> into another room and read a good book." Groucho Marx
>
> Arlen Fletcher
> fletcher at paccar.com

--
Mike Patterson I don't swear for the hell of it.
Astoria, OR Language is a poor enough means of communication
mpatters at orednet.org and we've got to use all the words we've got....
Besides, there are damn few words anybody understands
Henry Drummond in "Inherit the Wind"

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html