Wild Raptor Take Conservancy


	WRTC model set of State falconry regulations >>>Download

	State Statutes Recognizing Ownership Of Wildlife Illinois Code (510 ILCS 60/) Indiana Code (IC 14-22-1)

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

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.

Ilegal Invasion of Private Property Here are two cases involving unreasonable inspections and searches, and the analysis of police power limits. While these cases do not directly address wildlife or raptor issues, they do provide insight into constitutional scrutiny regarding inspection issues as they relate to individual rights and the public's needs and interests. >>>Case I >>>Case II