Greetings and Warm Wishes for 2008

About this time every year, we hear about "resolutions" over, and over, and over again. Well, I no longer make "resolutions," but I do try to identify areas where I need to improve or areas where improvements should be made, and one such area is communication. While I have enjoyed regular contact with many of you these past several months, I am initiating a regular communication program with you in the form of quarterly summaries. This will be the first of these, and I trust this will be received as the source for accurate information relative to current items and upcoming issues and concerns regarding practice of the Sport of Falconry in Utah. The yearly schedule for future summaries is March, June, September and December.

The following summaries for each topic are provided to update you on some of the real-time issues and concerns we are dealing with. As always, you can reach Anita at (801) 538-4785 or AnitaCandelaria@utah.gov, Celia at (801) 538-4784 or CeliaBunnell@utah.gov, or me directly at (801) 538-4788, JimParrish@utah.gov with any questions, comments or concerns that you have.

Future exam question: What is the difference between the term "juvenile" and "juvenal" with respect to birds of prey? (Answer will appear somewhere below.)

Peregrine falcon take

As you know, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a harvest plan for take of Peregrines for falconry, both nestlings and migrant juvenals. The draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the migrant take is provided on the FWS web site for your review and comment. Needless to say, considerable debate has ensued since the draft EA was issued, and I will be attending the Pacific Flyway meetings in March for further discussion with all of the western states on the issue. In a nutshell, the Service wants to establish criteria for take that will give more control to the states for both cohorts. However, there are some portions of the EA as it currently stands that are problematic. A migrant harvest is possible for the 2008 season, but I personally feel that the 2009 season is more likely. In the event the EA needs to go back to the Service for additional analysis, then target dates would obviously be set back. The Flyway forums each have a FWS rep that carries the results of Flyway actions directly to appropriate FWS personnel in Washington, D.C.

Falconry rule and guidebook

The final changes to the Federal Falconry rules are due out later this year. In anticipation of this document forthcoming at some point in the future, I have initiated a revision of the Utah Falconry Rule and Proclamation. The Utah Rule is in need of a considerable overhaul, but we must maintain compliance with the FWS changes as well. Look for changes at least in the exam and facilities inspection requirements, changes in the language and issuance of a Falconry COR, changes in the upgrade procedures, changes in reporting requirements, changes in the harvest program for all species, including Peregrines, possible changes to the season dates on capture dates (again, mostly due to the Peregrine take situation), and importing birds from out of state. Remember with imports that you must have vet certification from the state of origin before you bring a bird in.

The current Utah Falconry Rule expires in early 2009. I hope to have the entire Rule and Proclamation revised by that deadline so as to present the new documents to the RAC and Board as part of our renewal process. Now is the time to provide input for this process should you so desire. If there are changes/recommendations you have for the current rule, I encourage you to send those to me and sincerely hope that you will do so.

Paperwork

Without question, the number one problem we are running into is your paperwork. Thus far, I was quite surprised to learn that well over half of the licensed Falconers in Utah have paperwork issues; and not just single issues but typically multiple issues for each individual. Most have to do with not having a Form 3-186a on file for transfers, deaths, escapes, etc., and we are missing End-of-Year Reports for many of you as well. In the worse cases, we have General and Master Class Falconers that have not renewed either their Utah COR or Federal Permit for well over one year.

Bear in mind, that neither your Federal Permit nor your State COR is valid without the other, and any violation can expose an individual to suspension or criminal prosecution from both the State and FWS, particularly for expired permits and CORs. I remain reluctant to go that route, although in some cases such will be the result. We often have made repeated attempts to get these types of issues resolved and cleaned up, but those have not always proven successful; in fact those efforts have often times been ignored. As a result, I have begun issuing a Probationary COR that limits an individual's level of participation in the sport.

Reminder

Along those lines, your End-of-Year Reports for 2007 are due no later than January 31, 2008. Remember to keep copies for yourself of this and other required paperwork. Become familiar with the Proclamation if you have not done so already, and refer to this document often. We are working on improvements, but for now that is your first point of reference. Please contact Anita or Celia for assistance regarding this or any other requirement that you have. I look forward to continued improvements with Utah's Falconry program and to working with you to provide a quality Falconry experience for the State of Utah.

Juvenal = the correct term for pre-basic plumage (e.g., a first-year bird technically is in juvenal plumage vs. an older bird that would be referred to as being in adult plumage)

Juvenile = immature; technically the term refers to sexual immaturity. Not all birds in juvenal plumage (i.e., "first-year" birds) are juveniles since we have records of birds in juvenal plumage breeding in their first-year for several species.

Sincerely,

Jimmie R. Parrish, PhD
Avian Program Coordinator