Tweeters/Inlanders: the following is a copy of my response on the
subject.
I hope it is relevant and makes sense.

November 25, 1999

Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 634,
Arlington, Virginia 22203
(fax: 703/358-2272).

I do not think that falconers should be allowed to take Peregrine falcons
for their sport until there is a thorough analysis of the raptor
migration data available from Hawk Watch International and other
organizations. These data show trends in raptor numbers over a long
period of time (17 to 22 years in the case of HWI).
I have the current year to date for the Goshutes site as of October 28,
1999. The count ended in early November. Current and long-term data can
be obtained by contacting HWI director Howard Gross at
hgross at hawkwatch.org for all the observation sites for which they are
responsible.
The current year data that I have shows a total raptor count of 19,833
passing through the Goshutes site. Of this amount 12 were Peregrine
Falcons a fraction of a percent (.0000029%).
Sharp-shinned hawks were 36% (7,074); Cooper's hawks were 19% (3,844);
Red-tailed hawks were 23% of the total (4,498) and American Kestrels were
12% (2,467).
The Veracruz site, largest in the Northern Hemisphere also has long-term
data on raptor populations. The 1999 final corrected total shows
Peregrine falcons (957) to be another miniscule fraction of one percent
(.000235%) of the total raptor migration (4,077,152). Broad-winged hawks
made up 43% of the total; Swainson's 14% (581,419); turkey vultures 36%
(1,474,797).
If TV's are removed from the data the percentage of peregrines becomes
..0003677% still a low percentage.
I do not know that much about the migratory habits of Peregrine Falcons
and whether or not these data are relevant or not. I am only suggesting
that the raptor counts are one way to scientifically determine the
numbers and relative health of a species before making a decision that
will impact on them.

Sincerely,


Hans A. Krauss
10521 E. Cimmaron Drive
Spokane, WA 99206
two.wing-nuts at juno.com