I just find it confusing every time I read a thread on here regarding mounting hawks, owls, ..birds of prey.
I think it is important for any one reading that lives in Canada to know it is not a bad thing to pick up a bird of prey in this country.
It is illegal in the States but not so here. You can mount one of these birds if it died naturally (even accidentally like hit by car, collided with power line etc.) as long as you personally did not have anything to do with the death. The bird cannot be poisoned or shot for example. This ofcourse is to deter the idiots that would actually go out and try shoot a bird for mounting purpose.
In each of the provinces there is usually a list of endangered birds that CANNOT be mounted and there is no fine if you turn them in to the authorities. They are usually required for biological studies or museum work.
Call your local Department of Wildlife now.Be informed. Ask them for a list of birds that you can and cannot mount. When you find a bird of prey, hawk, falcon, owl take it home and put it in your freezer. Check the list If you cannot mount it call and ask who you turn it over to. If you can mount it ask for the proper procedure to follow to legally possess the bird. Take note of where you found the bird as this is required in either case for their records.
There is no fear in any of this as in CANADA you are not breaking the law.I want to make that clear here once and for all. There is a seven day law here in my province but I only see them stick to it very seldom.( must apply for permit within seven days)
I mount mostly birds of prey and I think it's a shame that any that can be preserved must be discarded. So please in Canada. You are not a criminal.......... Just do the bird justice and do a good job.
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I know the guys(dnr)in my area real good and that is exactly what you do but one think. You have to phone the office in your town and tell them that you ppick up the bird or leave a message. I have done this on three birds with only one be kept for reaserch.
I was getting fuel at a gas station outside of Saskatoon last October. This guy had a mounted golden eagle on a shelf. He said it had been struck by a car. I thought it was cool. He let me hold it and check it out. Felt like I was getting to pull one over the Feds down here.