i was recently given a sharp shinned hawk as a birthday gift. cause of death is uncertain as there are no visible wounds but i would hazard a guess that it's neck was broken. it is being stored in two plastic grocery bags in my freezer. is this an unsafe situation? will it somehow contaminate the food in the freezer? is there a better way to store it ? i hope to learn taxidermy and plan on using the hawk to this end. i am wondering if there are any preparatory or precautionary steps i can take which you folks can tell me about or any good books you can direct me towards. thanks.
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You can not keep this bird of prey unless it was gien to you by and educational source with permits attached. I know its to hard to do but get rid of it its ILLEGAL.
If you're in the USA : The only harm that will come is to YOU if you don't get rid of that thing now. It is federally protected as a migratory bird, with no season, and you can get like 10 years in the federal pokey if you are caught with even a single feather from it.
You have already left your name, you can be traced by the feds, so, I recommend ditching it NOW.
If you're not in the USA : Check your laws, and put it in a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn if you are indeed allowed to keep it.
...Tells me your in British Columbia, you should be ok. Laws ar a bit more realistic in Canada. Please store the bird as you've been instructed above and PLEASE don't use it as your first attempt at taxidermy. They are too hard to come by and you should be well skilled before doing it. It will not contaminate your food.
getting a permit in B.C. is not that difficult. You contact Fisheries & Oceans (I know it's not a sea bird) and they will tell you exactly who to talk to and give you a phone# or address.Contact that individual and they will find out if there is a request for a carcass from your local museum and if not you take it in for visual inspection and will be issued a permit. Now the sad news, if there is a museum request on their books you and the bird will require an immediate separation and if you don't comply they won't be nice. Good luck but please do practice on blackbirds sparrows and starlings or maybe a pigeon before you decide to do the hawk. I have mounted raptors that have been in the freezer for 15 years and have not had any nightmares so be patient and mount it only when you really feel you can do a job on it that will satisfy you for a lifetime.
send it to me over here in iceland
i thank you all for your timely and helpful advice. it does seem rather rash to me now that i had considered using this bird to learn on but i can assure you all i will do no such thing, if and when i obtain a permit to possess this lovely creature.
thanks especially to Two Feathers for the detailed and evidently well-informed tips. i shall be following your advice immediately.
seened it to me I can make $400.00 on it. I got ''nuts''