The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today approved the State of Connecticuts falconry regulations, making the sport of hunting with hawks and other birds of prey legal in the state, said Diane Pence, chief of the Services migratory bird program in the Northeast.
6pt; Connecticut is the 49th state, and the last among the lower 48 states, to legalize falconry, said Pence. The sport is not allowed in Hawaii.
6pt; "Connecticuts falconry regulations more than meet the federal falconry requirements under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and we are glad to provide state residents with the opportunity to practice this traditional sport," said Pence.
6pt ; Pence further stated that the timing of the agencys approval will allow falconers several months to train their birds prior to fall hunting seasons, which will be set this summer.
6pt; The Service in December determined that Connecticuts falconry regulations comply with federal standards for permit requirements, classes of permits, examination procedures, and falconry facilities and equipment, according to Pence. The regulations additionally exceed the conditions and restrictions for taking and marking raptors under federal law. The Service accepted public comments on its proposal to legalize the State regulations through January 19, 2005.
6pt; The Service is the federal agency with the primary responsibility for managing migratory birds. Raptors and other migratory birds native to the U.S. are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the taking and possession of raptors for falconry are regulated under the law.
6pt ; The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-FWS-
State of Connecticut contact: Matt Fritz 860/424-4117
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