The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on a recently approved tentative regulation that would allow a limited take of up to three young peregrine falcons for use in falconry this year. Only Montana residents who are currently licensed as general or master falconers could apply for the limited opportunity to take a wild peregrine falcon.
In the practice of falconry, under federal and state law, licensed falconers may take nestling or free-flying birds of prey from healthy wild populations and then train the birds for the hunting of small game like grouse, pheasants and ducks.
In 2006, at least 65 active peregrine falcon nests in Montana fledged nearly 150 young birds. Federal guidelines authorize no more than five percent of the nestling population—or seven birds based on the 2006 survey—to be taken for falconry in Montana. Based on public comments associated with the examination of an environmental assessment, a more conservative level of take of no more than three young peregrines was recommended . Officials say that Montana’s peregrine falcon populations are expanding, their numbers will continue to grow, and that the population would not be harmed by allowing the capture of a limited number of young for the sport of falconry.
The tentative regulations would require each falconer who takes a nestling from the wild to report precise information about the bird and capture location to FWP and to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The banded bird also must be inspected by FWP within five days of its capture.
Take of peregrines would not be allowed in most of the eastern portion of Montana and in several areas that either provide important wildlife viewing opportunities, are research sites, or are noted as locations for other management activities. Those areas are: Blodgett and Painted Rock aeries in the Bitterroot, Johnsrud aerie on the Blackfoot River, Frenchtown aerie on the Clark Fork River, Woods Bay aerie near Flathead Lake, Coulter (or Meriwether) aerie on the Missouri River, and the Sacrifice Cliff aerie on the Yellowstone River near Billings.
Today’s American peregrine falcon population was restored through a broad network of conservationists, including falconers, who spent years "hacking" young birds from specially-designed towers and from the tops of buildings and skyscrapers in some eastern cities. The effort was designed to reverse population declines that began about 60 years ago.
The peregrine was removed from the federal endangered species list in 1999, which enabled the peregrine to be included as a raptor eligible for take under federal falconry statutes beginning in 2004. Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington all allow the limited take of nestling peregrines.
Send comments to: FWP – Wildlife Division, Attn: Public Comment, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701 or email fwpwild@mt.gov. Comments must be received by 5 p.m., Feb. 22. The Commission will take final action on March 13.
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