CATCH THEM ALIVE TRAP

Every pigeon fancier sees hawks as a serious threat to their feathered friends. Many from this loft have become meals for those magnificent birds. Last year alone (2002) 15 young birds were lost before the hawk was caught. In most areas they are protected. Yet for people like myself they are the source, to put it mildly, of  pain and suffering. Many of my birds that have earned a special place in this heart have been lost to hawks. For one example visit this page. I agree that no creature on earth should be indiscriminately killed for sport. I can not agree that those creatures that target domestic pets should be allowed to. Animal rights groups contend that hawks have unconditional rights. Regrettable they choose to deny chicken farmers, pigeon fanciers, those who keep doves and many small pets the same rights. I believe to the depths of my soul that humankind should live in harmony with Mother Nature. All life is a gift. Yet when one of them leaves the wild to prey on what are really domestic pets they should to be controlled and we have the right to protect our birds. It should start with  investigating the legal channels that are  are available to do it.

The idea for the trap came from a chat group, and works like this: With a couple of  birds in the one side of the trap and visible through the wire mesh, a hungry hawk  will do it's best to try to get at them. The 6" hole in the top will allow the hawk access to the opposite section of the trap. The wire mesh between the birds and hawk protect the pigeons. Once in the trap the hawk can not get escape.

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Other designs of traps can be found at this site.

Please do not forget for a second that the hawks talons  and beak  are cutting tools. They will try to use them on you if you attempt to remove the hawk from the trap alive and without protection. The SPCA or a bird shelter in your area should know of someone that is experienced in handling them. I do not advocate killing the hawk. It can be transported out of your area far enough so that it will not return. A federal permit is obtainable to trap hawks and should be in your possession prior to trapping.

In Canada the Canadian Wildlife Services can be contacted for information on obtaining the permit.
In the U.S. each  state will have a wildlife department.  People from the respective states would contact there state's wildlife department and follow the protocol of that state.