Chris Lynn, what do you think about the raptors for sale in Europe? Try that here in the USA and you will end up in jail. You don’t have to admit you were wrong if you don’t want to. I understand your love of your birds. When I was a kid I raised a coon from a baby and I loved that coon. I swore Id never trap another coon but the reality of the teeter totter effect in nature ie over population=disease, then wipe out, won out and I went on to kill many coons. The mass starvation of Great Grey owls was probably unavoidable, but would it of hurt to allow a limited harvest? Actually I have heard that some of the Canadian provinces do allow hunting and mounting raptors. I haven’t verified this but was told this at the world show .I have mounted several bald eagles ,one scooping a crappie out off a lake scene splash and all. Also I have mounted many hawks and owls and songbirds, Al for schools or the DNR. I love all birds and respect each ones place in creation. I have won best in state and one first place at the world show, as well as several first place Masters. You can’t do this without a passion for the species. You should not let your love of a species cloud the reality of sensible management. I was teaching at a college in central Minn. In the late 80’s when the Min. DNR went down a river bed shooting every Great Horned owl they could because they were devastating the small game and bird populations. If they would of proposed a public hunting season which would of generated income, people like you would have screamed to high heaven and filed lawsuits to stop it. What sense does that really make. Again I understand your love of these birds, I share your admiration for them, but like everything else there is a time for management. In America I can shoot my limit of ducks every day and pluck the feathers and throw them to the wind, but I cannot use my skill, mount one and sell it .I can only mount one brought to me by a customer. What sense does that make? No migratory bird may be sold period ,that’s why I won’t touch one without a large deposit. Anyway no hard feelings here I would probably enjoy watching your birds immensely Happy resurrection day.
