Thanks to TWRA's Tommy Edwards and to Richard Connors for asking for input by TOS members. Since an albino red-tailed hawk is unique and revered by anyone who is lucky enough to see it in the wild, I favor leaving it in the wild, where the public can continue to enjoy viewing it. . A joint TWRA and USFWS permit is issued for each falconry permit in Tennessee. Falconers are required to obtain TWRA written permission before taking a bird from the wild. If you Google "Falconry Regulations, Tennessee", you can read Tennessee's falconry regulations. There is no mention of state legal restriction concerning the taking of adult red-tailed hawks for falconry purposes in Tennessee, but only first-year red-tails can be used in some states. It is therefore good that TWRA is seeking TOS input, which considering the legalities involved, may be needed to help TWRA justify its likely preference to deny permission to take the albino hawk from the wild. After having administered TWRA's falconry program for over 20 years (1980 - 2001), I have high respect for the integrity of the vast majority of falconers. I believe most would agree that the albino hawk should not be used in falconry. That would also be consistent with the spirit of regulations that prohibit the taking of rare raptor species for falconry purposes. Falconers have contributed greatly to our knowledge and management techniques for raptors nationwide. For example, Dr. Tom Cade, then of Cornell University, was the first to adapt the falconry hacking technique in 1972 to hack peregrine falcons in order to restore natural nesting. This ultimately resulted in federal delisting of the peregrine falcon in 1999. Early peregrine success led Peter Nye to try hacking of bald eagles in up-state New York in 1976. This led to a successful bald eagle nest in NY in 1980, leading many states similarly to aid recovery of bald eagles, ospreys, California condors, and other rare raptors. A few falconers have contributed their expertise and valuable voluntary assistance in Tennessee for hacking: bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and ospreys. Two of the most knowledgeable raptor veterinarians in the country (at the Universities of Minnesota and Tennessee) are master falconers, who no doubt have learned much from their practice of falconry. I therefore support TOS' respectfully recommending to TWRA that permission be denied for the taking of any albino raptor for falconry purposes. Thanks. Bob Hatcher TWRA Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Coordinator (1978 - 2001), and TOS Conservation Policy Committee Co-Chair Brentwood, TN ----- Original Message ----- From: <Rconnorsphoto@xxxxxxx> To: <TN-Bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: <Tommy.Edwards@xxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:23 PM Subject: [TN-Bird] pending capture of white red-tail hawk Nov. 28, 2007 I got the following note form TWRA officer and TOS member Tommy Edwards of Columbia: Richard, There has been a permit authorized to capture the albino red-tailed hawk in the hwy 96 area. I think this is the hawk you took pictures of. The capture will be to use it in falconry. You might want to let the TOS community be aware of this in case anyone has any thoughts. Thanks Tommy Edwards This is disturbing news to me. Not that I have anything against falconry as such, but seems like taking adult birds are the wrong way to go. Especially a spectacular old girl like this bird! She does more as a free-flying, regular winter neighbor, and has more value free than she could ever have as someone's captive for sport. Many people know about this bird and enjoy seeing it some-what tame, along Hwy. 96 in Williamson County. I'm sure the consensus of opinion from people who have seen this bird would be for TWRA to deny this permit. Richard Connors Nashville **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001) =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation. You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds you report were seen. The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should appear in the first paragraph. _____________________________________________________________ To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. ______________________________________________________________ TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ------------------------------ Assistant Moderator Andy Jones Cleveland, OH ------------------------------- Assistant Moderator Dave Worley Rosedale, VA __________________________________________________________ Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ARCHIVES TN-Bird Net Archives at //www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/ EXCELLENT MAP RESOURCES Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com _____________________________________________________________ =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation. You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds you report were seen. The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should appear in the first paragraph. _____________________________________________________________ To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. ______________________________________________________________ TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ------------------------------ Assistant Moderator Andy Jones Cleveland, OH ------------------------------- Assistant Moderator Dave Worley Rosedale, VA __________________________________________________________ Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ARCHIVES TN-Bird Net Archives at //www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/ EXCELLENT MAP RESOURCES Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com _____________________________________________________________