40 replies to this topic

[spongee62]

Kinda sad....our "National Bird" being hunted. Doesn't seem right.

http://www.foxnews.c...ll-bald-eagles/

[Raptor]

They are just now starting to make a nice comeback too. It isn't right for sure!

[Platypus]

This has been a controversial topic for years in wildlife conservation. Special permits or decreased regulations for native people have been issued for the hunting of whales, caribou, wolves, and many other vertebrate species.

Other than the obvious conservation issue, one of my main problems with it is that they cite a need to maintain their tradition and culture by re-instating the hunting, then go out with modern rifles, motorboats, harpoon guns, gps, etc. to hunt the animals.

[Pat B.]

Culture or no, it just makes me sad. I've just started getting "up close and personal" with Bald Eagles this year and I'm getting very attached to them. I can't imagine even wanting to kill one.

[creeker]

You would think they could get some that were killed by those big props on the "wind farms."

[spongee62]

So true. How many birds get killed by "wind farms"? I heard it is mostly the larger birds such as raptors.

[spongee62]

This has been a controversial topic for years in wildlife conservation. Special permits or decreased regulations for native people have been issued for the hunting of whales, caribou, wolves, and many other vertebrate species.

Other than the obvious conservation issue, one of my main problems with it is that they cite a need to maintain their tradition and culture by re-instating the hunting, then go out with modern rifles, motorboats, harpoon guns, gps, etc. to hunt the animals.

Your narrative made me think give them the permit provided they use native and / or cultural implements to do the job.

[creeker]

So true. How many birds get killed by "wind farms"? I heard it is mostly the larger birds such as raptors.

Found this article....

http://www.foxnews.c...er-development/

[spongee62]

Found this article....

http://www.foxnews.c...er-development/

Wow.......that is a very sad story. I will keep my political comments to myself regarding this.

[Platypus]

Wow.......that is a very sad story. I will keep my political comments to myself regarding this.

I was wondering why a conservation issue was being discussed on Fox News... should have known haha.

I do know that ornithologists are mobilizing for this issue now. My ornithology prof from university has been contracted by many wind turbine companies in Canada to map the ideal locations for new wind farms, so as to minimize risk to migratory raptors.

[The Nature Trail]

I was surprised when I read this article though: www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/

Apparently windows, cats, and cars are much bigger problems to birds than hunters and wind farms.

I agree that it's very sad they would hunt the eagles. Like Platypus said, at least they could do it the historical way.

[JimBob]

IMO our national bird should be protected 100% of the time. And just maybe if they got as common as House Sparrows, or Starlings, they might be able to give one or two permits to shoot one or two birds.

Cats are a huge killer of birds. Millions of birds die each year because of them. I don't mind them if they are inside but, if they are outside and killing birds I don't like them. Put a bell on them, so the birds here them coming.

[spongee62]

I was surprised when I read this article though: www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/

Apparently windows, cats, and cars are much bigger problems to birds than hunters and wind farms.

I agree that it's very sad they would hunt the eagles. Like Platypus said, at least they could do it the historical way.

Actually I know about the birds and cats, etc. I was thinking about the larger birds, i.e. eagle. I don't think your common cat is going to attempt to take down a bald eagle, LOL.....

[JimBob]

I have heard about Cooper's Hawks dying because of window collisions.

[spookyjimjams]

I live within a few miles of thousands of wind turbines (Altamont wind farm complex). We have a very healthy population of birds of prey including Golden Eagles, all manners of buteos and accipiters,Turkey Vultures and owls. The companies that run these farms are replacing older models with newer and bigger models. If there are bird deaths, it is more than likely the smaller turbines doing it. They spin very fast, at very low heights off the ground. The stands are often latticed which encourages birds to nest and land on the towers. The new turbines are huge, spin very slowly on a single smooth pole and are very high off the ground. In either case, remember that birds are not stupid. These wind farms are noisy and scary to birds, and they generally stay away. In the migration period (Nov-Feb), most turbines are disabled so that there is little chance that it will effect low flying geese, ibisis, etc.

I support these wind farms, although a birder friend of mine does not. I tend to err on the side of clean energy and my belief that most birds will steer clear of these areas or have grown up understanding how to fly around them.

As to the Bald Eagle issue, I am normally against this type of thing (same goes with the slaughter of whales by indigenous people for similar reasons) but the population of Bald Eagles is healthier than whales. I think the loss of 2 to a single tribe is not going to pose a bigger threat to this species in the future.

[revvinjim]

First of all, the permit for the Northern Arapahoe clan is for two eagles, only. The wind farms do not have a permit for the wholesale slaughter of birds, and even though the providers of other sources of energy have had to pay huge fines for causing damage to the environment, they get a free pass. Greed may cause global warming, but greed also initiates the use of low quality and substandard, inefficient equipment, and lack of moral values in the name of "green energy!"

[Bigfoot]

This topic is beginning to sound very political, OK up to this point but please don't make me close this thread.

Bigfoot

[NatureLady]

Both those articles are so sad;(

[horseface]

Eagles are plentiful as ever now and I don't see the harm in allowing a native group in Wyoming to kill like 2, regardless of the methods they use. If it becomes a problem then you cross the bridge when you come to it. Saying they shouldn't use modern equipment is like saying christians shouldn't use toilets.

[Platypus]

Eagles are plentiful as ever now and I don't see the harm in allowing a native group in Wyoming to kill like 2, regardless of the methods they use. If it becomes a problem then you cross the bridge when you come to it. Saying they shouldn't use modern equipment is like saying christians shouldn't use toilets.

I don't think that's an accurate analogy at all. Christians don't cite their need to go to the bathroom as having come from the bible. The native groups that try to obtain these permits and get reduced hunting regulations say it is to maintain the culture and tradition. In my mind, that means they should use traditional methods.

I do agree that since populations are stable now and Bald Eagles aren't even classified as threatened anymore, it makes sense to allow the hunting of these two birds. It's the possibility of this incident setting a precedent and opening the door for many other groups to do the same that is worrying.