In order to improve, disseminate data, share expertise and to pass on to posterity the art and practice of wild raptor acquisition for falconry as well as for scientific research and conservation purposes, we hereby associate ourselves as a nonprofit organization known as Wild Raptor Take Conservancy established in 2002. It is also our intention to offer the broadest liberties possible to our endeavor which are not in conflict with the health of raptor populations, i.e., liberty in conjunction with responsibility to raptors.

We further declare that our purpose is to help promote wild take knowledge and experience amongst all interested falconers in order to instill an appreciation for the ancient art of wild raptor acquisition. We also wish to instill pride in falconers for their historic contribution to raptor migratory science and their continued contribution to this endeavor.

We further declare that our purpose is to promote an understanding between the scientific community, birding organizations, and the falconry community. Through our common interest in raptors and our diverse knowledge, unique to each group, we may serve raptor populations better in a united effort rather than as factional entities.

We further declare that our purpose is to open all borders between all states and nations for trapping and transportation of all secure species of raptors.

WRTC policy on Eagle Trapping in the United States

The Wild Raptor Take Conservancy board of directors proposes that the use of steel jaw traps as an approved method of take of eagles for falconry purposes be terminated. There are other effective trapping methods better designed to take live raptors.

This proposal does not pertain to, or preclude their use for legitimate permitted activities, but only to birds taken out of the wild alive and under permit for falconry.

We expect all falconers to be in compliance at all times with the local, state and federal laws related to trapping eagles. We further propose that any trap in use be marked with the permit number of the permittee and monitored by the permittee at all times when in use.

Whatever trapping method is used to take eagles for falconry purposes, it should be utilized in the safest and most skillful manner to minimize the potential risk to the eagle.

	Comments to the proposed abatement regulations in 2007 >>>Download
	South Dakota Proposal for Nonresident Take I want to thank the Fish & Game Commission for the opportunity to present this proposal on behalf of the Wild Raptor Take Conservancy (WRTC). WRTC is a non-profit falconry organization dedicated to defending the right of falconers’ access to wild raptor populations. We are actively pursuing opening every State to nonresident falconers. >>> More
Communication between WRTC and the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources This is a record of the process in opening the door to nonresident take. >>>Download
Ownership of raptors WRTC's legal counsel, Mr. William Horn, provided a letter to the Solicitor of the Department of the Interior addressing the Fish & Wildlife Service's assertion in the most recent federal draft proposals to modify the falconry and captive breeding regulations, that falconers do not own their domestic bred or wild taken raptors. This letter is made available to all falconers for their edification and reference on this matter. >>>Download
Comments to Changes in the Federal Regulations Governing Falconry Submitted by the Board of Directors Wild Raptor Take Conservancy >>>Download
Court Case - Hughes v. Oklahoma Given the misinformation being circulated about ownership of falconry birds, we are making available to the falconry community the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Hughes v. Oklahoma. This case addresses, among other things, the issue of the ownership of wildlife. We have underlined the salient points in this case for those who wish only a cursory examination of this important case. >>>Download
Public Trust by Bill Murrin The attached is being provided because there are some in the falconry community who have been circulating a distorted view of the Public Trust Doctrine and how they desire to apply it to wildlife in general and raptors in particular. >>>Download
Property rights paper on migratory birds by a law student >>>Link
Who Calls the Shots? The courts continue their struggle to find the right mix of state and federal authority that best serves the public’s interest in wildlife. By Thomas Baumeister and Tom Dickson >>>Link
State Statutes Recognizing Ownership Of Wildlife There are still those within our community that refuse to accept the long standing legal principle that wildlife becomes the property of the individual who legally takes possession of it which of course includes raptors... >>>Download