On behalf of the Alabama Hawking Association as whole and the following supporters:

We request that all migratory birds in Alabama be granted the full 107 day falconry season allowable by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Why we would like to see the season extended: According to the 2013 Final Supplemental Enviromental Impact Statement, "The Service recognizes that the taking of migratory birds by falconry is a legitimate and legal use that has very limited harvest and therefore has a negligible impact on the resource."  Falconers have always had the utmost respect for their quarry. A longer season will not adversely affect the migratory bird populations, but it will help falconers statewide to practice the sport at a higher level. Migratory bird species we would like to see extended: Ducks, Morning Doves, Woodcock/Rails and Galinules. 

Why the current season structure is not sufficient: Falconers flying resident game birds on squirrels/rabbits have extended seasons from Sept 11-March 31 and Nov 6-March 31, respectively. Those are both very conducive to game hawking. By allowing the full 107 day season for migratory birds, falconers targeting these species would be able to safely enjoy an extended season that wasn’t fully shared with gun hunters. 

Dates we propose adding in order to bring Alabama falconry seasons in line with the 107 day maximum allowable by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act:

Ducks

Current:

Sept 11-Sept 26 = 16 days, Nov 26-Nov 27 = 2 days, Dec 4-Jan 30 = 58 days, Youth/Veteran Nov 20 & Feb 5 = 2 days

Total = 78 days

Suggested:

• Add 29 days to Total 107 days

Nov 28-Dec 3 = 6 days, Jan 31-Feb 23 = 23 days (Feb 5 is a gun hunt day already counted)

Mourning Dove and White Winged Dove

Current North Zone:

Sept 4-Oct 24 = 51 days, Nov 20-Nov 28 = 9 days, Dec 18-Jan 16 = 30 days

Total = 90 days

Current South Zone:

Sept 11-Oct 31 = 51 days, Nov 20-Nov 28 = 9 days, Dec 18-Jan 16 = 30 days

Total = 90 days

Suggested:

• Add 17 days to Total 107 days

Dec 1-Dec 17

Woodcock

Current:

Dec 17-Jan 30 = 45 days

Total = 45 days

Suggested:

• Add 62 days to Total 107 days

Nov 13-Dec 16 = 33 days, Jan 31-Feb 27 = 29 days

Rail and Gallinule

Current:

Sept 11-Sept 26 = 16 days, Nov 26-Jan 18 = 54 days

Total = 70 days

Suggested:

• Add 37 days to Total 107 days

Nov 2-Nov 25 = 24 days, Jan 19-Jan 31 = 13 days

Snipe

Current:

Nov 13-Feb 27 = 107 days

• No change requested.

 

Other information you may find pertinent to extending the season:

Many falconers in Alabama fly potential "bird hawks". Over the past couple of years, falconers throughout the state have flown : Red-tailed Hawks, Coopers Hawks, Sharp-Shinned Hawks, Harris’s Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Goshawks, Kestrels, Aplomado Falcons, Gyr Falcons, Peregrine Falcons, Gyr/Peregrine Falcon hybrids, Great Horned Owls, as well as a handful of other species. All of which would benefit from an extended season!

Our most recent numbers show that we have roughly 80 licensed falconers in Alabama. We have been growing in numbers over the past few years and anticipate that will continue. Expanding the falconry Migratory Bird seasons to allow take for 107 days will benefit both current and future falconers alike!

We are reaching out for support from the general public, especially hunters and the members/volunteers of wildlife conservation organizations.

Both the falconers and falconry birds of Alabama thank you for your support!