New proposed Falconry regulations in the US

[IAmTheWeasel]

Here is a link to the newly proposed regs. They have made significant changes to the existing ones....some to our benifit, and some not.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-2378.htm

[Shaun Byrne]

Man there's loads of it! Just had a quick read. Thats an interesting bit about Hybrid Falcons. They MUST be imprinted or sterilized and it is illegal to release them into the wild or fly them without telemetry.

[IAmTheWeasel]

Yup, there are quite a few changes made to our existing ones that's for sure....

[Jay]

Any points you like? Any you don't? I havent really read through that carfuly but here is what I think so far.

I disagre with the lowered age of apprentices from 14 to 12, if anything it should be rased. I dont think a 12 year old can even come close to hadeling the responsibility of falonry. No car for atleast 3 years, moving from middle to highschool, and the physical requirements of the sport. Just not somthing for a 12 year old.

I disagre with the use of Harris Hawks by apprentices

Dont like the idea that a mew is not needed before a permit, but is needed to get a bird. Great for those already in the sport, but I feel it can easly be abused by newcomers and maybe even people already in the sport.

I need to think over the removal of a federal permit, less paper work for us but I think it could put to much power and/or burden on the states.

Some what split on the change that will alow masters to have 5 birds

I like the elctronic registraion of trapped birds, makes a lot less paper work for me.

[Austin]

Don't like the age drop. I'm with you on that, unless they made a requirment that a parent, or legal guardian living in the house hold had to sponsor the person. Like the electronic filing. Disagree with the Harris, but I disagree with any apprentince purchasing a first bird. Masters having five birds, don't know about that one, only three can be wild caught just like before. I think everyone should build their mew before trapping that first bird, it will tell if they are really serious and really for what is to come. I think it said something else about doing away with the federal license and only licesing through the state maybe that will save money but then again maybe state fees will go up. I'm concerned about the state complying with the new standards hope they do because it stated if they don't comply in the given time frame then falconry will be banned from any state which does not contact and show that they have upgraded their laws.