Effects of Falconry Harvest on Wild Raptor Populations in the United States: Theoretical Considerations and Management Recommendations

Abstract

We used recent population data and a deterministic matrix model that accounted for important aspects of raptor population biology to evaluate the likely impact of falconry harvest (including take of different age classes) on wild raptor populations in the United States. The harvest rate at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) ranged from 0.03 to 0.41 for the species examined. At least for peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), harvest rate at MSY was greatest for nestlings and lowest for adults. The quality of demographic data for the species influenced MSY. For most species the state of current knowledge probably underestimates the capacity for allowed harvest because estimates of vital rates, particularly survival, are biased low, because emigration is not distinguished from survival. This is offset somewhat by biases that might overestimate sustainability inherent in MSY-based analyses and deterministic models. Taking these factors into consideration and recognizing the impracticality of monitoring raptor populations to determine actual effects of harvest, we recommend that falconry harvest rates for juvenile raptors in the United States not exceed one-half of the estimated MSY up to a maximum of 5%, depending on species-specific estimates of capacity to sustain harvest. Under this guideline, harvest rates of up to 5% of annual production are supported for northern goshawks (Accipter gentilis), Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus), peregrine falcons, and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos); lower harvest rates are recommended for other species until better estimates of vital rates confirm greater harvest potential. (WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN 34(5):1392-1400 2006)

Developing A Sustainable Harvest of Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug ) for Falconry in Mongolia.

“…In the USA, management has involved the reestablishment of Peregrine populations through reintroduction, together with the introduction of legislation to restrict the types of pesticides that caused the initial population decline and strict protection coupled with effective enforcement (Cade and Burnham 2003). This management has contributed significantly to the current healthy state of the Peregrine Falcon population in North America and has enabled a limited sustainable harvest for falconry to be permitted (Millsap and Allen 2006). International trade in wild-taken Peregrines and Gyrfalcons is not allowed at present as they are both Appendix I-listed species under CITES.…”

Flushing Responses of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) In Response To Recreation

“…Golden Eagle populations are believed to be declining throughout their range in the contiguous United States (Harlow and Bloom 1989. The Service has modeled current data (USFWS 2009, Appendix C), employing Moffat's equilibrium (Hunt 1998) and Millsap and Allen's (2006) , although it is unclear if the latter is linked to the general decrease in the number of eagles.…”

Government-sponsored Falconry Practices, Rodenticides, and Land Development Jeopardize Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Western China

“…However, effects of harvest on nongame species (including migratory birds other than upland gamebirds and waterfowl) have rarely been studied because legal harvest of these species is generally small and allowed only in special circumstances. This includes raptors, for which limited harvest of some species is permitted for use in falconry (Millsap and Allen 2006) and Native American religious ceremonies (Davidson 2009). Eagles figure prominently in the beliefs and traditions of many Native American tribes (Waldman 2006), and ceremonial harvest of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is protected by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978(42 United States Code § 1996.…”

“…Fish and Wildlife Service [U.S.F.W.S. ] 2009), research on falconry take of this species is limited (Millsap and Allen 2006), and no peer-reviewed studies have evaluated effects of religious take on Golden Eagle populations.…”

“…2009). Although one assessment suggested Golden Eagles were declining across the western U.S. (Kochert and Steenhof 2002), more recent estimates have shown a slight increasing trend for populations in the northwestern U.S. and a slight decreasing trend in the southwestern U.S. (Millsap et al 2013). The U.S.F.W.S.…”