Protected Birds in Ontario

[Kin Lau]

MIGRATORY BIRDS CONVENTION ACT, 1994 states:

That it is illegal to hunt any migratory bird where "hunt" is defined below:

"hunt" means chase, pursue, worry, follow after or on the trail of, lie in wait for, or attempt in any manner to capture, kill, injure or harass a migratory bird, whether or not the migratory bird is captured, killed or injured; ( chasser ).

MNR won't prosecute based on the above. Trying to stretch the meaning of "hunt" has been tried before, and it's doesn't stand up.

It was discussed last year (not here) with the Grimsby NHO and some people made calls to MNR about it.

MNR was well aware of the Grimsby NHO - they have an office quite close and no action was taken.

The only authorities involved were the Railway Police who were warning everyone to stay off railway lands.

[cloaca]

Cloaca,

Hawk owls, along with other raptors, are considered to be Schedule 7 "Specially Protected Raptors" under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.  The Federal Government does not legislate protection of raptors, they leave that to provincial governments.  The Migratory Bird Act is enforced by provincial Conservation Officers (CO's), and under Provincial laws, the birds listed as both specially protected raptors and specially protected birds (other than raptors) fall under the statutes of any laws which are being enforced.

Oh, I thought we were talking about the Migratory Birds Convention Act, which protects goldfinches, not owls.

[Anonymous]

Kin - thanks for the information, I appreciate it.  The only thing is, if it is actually part of an existing definition defined by a legislative body, it isn't stretching it.  In fact, it can and should be considered part of the definition given its inclusion.  With regards to the Grimsby NHO, was the bird being baited in order to bring it closer to watchers/photogs or just as amusement?  Also, was it a wild bird or one that perhaps escaped from a place that had been responsible for its imprinting?

Cloaca - as stated above - The Migratory Bird Act is enforced by provincial Conservation Officers (CO's), and under Provincial laws, the birds listed as both specially protected raptors and specially protected birds (other than raptors) under the Provincial statute fall under the statutes of any laws which are being enforced, which included the Migratory Bird Act.

Attila

[Anonymous]

You are allowed to feed wild birds of prey in the Province of Ontario.

I apologise for the erroneous message I provided, but was happy to see all the dialogue that took place.

Cheers, and sorry again.