The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) moved one step closer to allowing falconers to take peregrine falcons for the sport of falconry. At the meeting in Howey-in-the-Hills on Wednesday, the Commission directed staff to finalize the rule that authorizes the take of peregrine falcons for falconry with a permit issued by the FWC.
Seven speakers, including members of groups such as the Florida Falconry Association, North American Falconers Association, Florida Audubon of Florida, Defenders of Wildlife and Humane Society of the United States, provided input to the Commission on the draft rule. Those opposed to the falconry rule requested that the Commission find a way to fund a raptor-monitoring program that includes peregrines in the Keys.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a plan for peregrine management for falconry in December 2008. The plans allows for 36 peregrine falcons to be taken for falconry anywhere east of the 100th meridian. This area includes states from Maine to Florida to Texas to North Dakota. Florida is eligible for a small portion of that number, which will be allocated among the states that allow harvest.
"Falconers contributed to the successful conservation of the peregrine by providing birds for captive breeding so peregrines could be reintroduced," said Robin Boughton, the FWC's avian coordinator. "Many falconers would now like the opportunity to again use the birds in the sport of falconry."
The peregrine is a highly valued bird by falconers for its 200-mph dives for prey. Falcons have been used by people for hunting for more than 1,000 years.
The USFWS took the peregrine off the endangered species list in 1999, and the FWC delisted the peregrine falcon in June, making it one of conservation's greatest success stories. Today, scientists estimate there are at least 3,100 breeding pairs in the United States.
The FWC has met with stakeholders, including falconers and conservation groups, as the agency developed a management plan for the peregrine, which was approved in June. Staff has continued working with stakeholders as it drafted the rule to allow harvest of the peregrine for falconry.
Based on the allocations from 2009, Florida would most likely receive five or fewer permits for peregrines for falconry in 2010. Permit applicants would be randomly selected, with preference given to Florida residents.
Peregrines migrate as much as 15,000 miles per year, and on average, 1,700 peregrines migrate through Florida, including the Keys, in the fall as they move between northern breeding grounds and wintering areas in Central and South America. Some peregrines stay the entire winter in the state, but they do not breed in Florida. They can be spotted in the fall and winter over open terrain, particularly near coastal shorelines and wetlands.
