Trapping hawks can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor for an experienced falconer or wildlife rehabilitator. When done properly and for the right reasons, trapping hawks can provide opportunities for education, conservation, and rehabilitation of raptors. However, trapping hawks requires specialized knowledge, patience, and adherence to local, state, and federal laws pertaining to protected avian species.
Why Would You Want to Trap a Hawk?
There are a few legitimate reasons why someone may need to trap a hawk:
- Falconry – Capturing a hawk to keep and train for the ancient sport of falconry. Proper permits and licensing are required.
- Rehabilitation – Capturing an injured or orphaned hawk to provide medical care and eventual release back to the wild.
- Banding – Trapping hawks to attach leg bands for research and tracking of raptor populations.
- Relocation – Humanely moving problem hawks away from areas where they are causing damage or posing risks.
However, it is illegal to trap hawks without proper cause or authorization. Casual trapping and collection of raptors from the wild is prohibited.
Choosing a Location
Identifying an appropriate area to set up a hawk trap takes some scouting and planning:
- Look for spots hawks are known to frequent – open fields, woodland edges, telephone poles, etc.
- Set traps on or near potential perches.
- Consider seasonal migration patterns.
- Pick areas with minimal human activity.
- Ensure you have legal access to the trapping location.
Aspects like weather, time of day, and time of year will also affect your chances of trapping a hawk. Ideal conditions vary by species.
Selecting a Trap Design
Several trap designs can be effective for capturing hawks, each with their own advantages:
Noose Traps
Noose traps, also called bal-chatri traps, use nooses made from thin wire or fishing line positioned around a bait animal. When the hawk attempts to grab the bait, its feet become entangled in the nooses. Pros:
- Effective for many hawk species
- Minimal injury risk
- Can be modified with a trap door for safe containment
Cons:
- More complex setup
- Requires live bait
- Risk of entanglement in anchor lines
Box Traps
Box traps are cages with an internal baffled entrance that allows hawks easy access but makes escape difficult. Bait is placed inside the trap. Pros:
- Allows unharmed containment
- Works well for small hawks like kestrels
- Can transport hawk after trapping
Cons:
- Large size harder to position
- Visible to hawks, may make them wary
- Opening size can limit what species enter
Swedish Goshawk Trap
This old European trap design uses a series of tapered bow nets stacked vertically on a pole. Hawks crash into the nets from above and slide down into an inner compartment.
Pros:
- Captures hawks uninjured
- No bait required
- Works for a variety of hawk sizes
Cons:
- More complex construction
- Bulkier and heavier than other traps
- Visibility may make hawks more cautious
Foothold Traps
Foothold traps designed for raptors have padded jaws that close around a hawk’s legs when triggered. Used correctly, they do not cause injury.
Pros:
- Inexpensive and easily obtained
- Can be concealed in ground cover
- Do not require bait
Cons:
- Risk of injury if improperly set
- Difficult to use selectivity and safely
- Illegal in some states
When evaluating trap choices, consider factors like the target species, local regulations, trap visibility, portability, and required effort.
Baiting the Trap
Baiting the area around a hawk trap can significantly increase your odds of success. Good baits to try include:
- Small birds or mice
- Chunks of raw meat
- Canned sardines or cat food
- Shiny pieces of metal or glass
- Visual lures like feathers
The movement of live bait like birds and mice will be especially attractive. But sunset legal, humane options only like quail. Bait should be fresh and replaced frequently. Using multiple baits can help target the appetites of different hawk species.
Legal Considerations
It is critical to know and follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding the trapping of raptors. Key regulations include:
- Permits – Special permits are required for trapping and possessing hawks for purposes like falconry, rehabilitation, or research.
- Endangered Species – Extra restrictions apply to endangered or threatened hawk species like the Peregrine Falcon.
- Reporting – Banding and marking permits often require reporting details of any hawks captured.
- Methods – Only certain trap types and baits are legal. Leghold traps and live bait are often prohibited.
- Release Requirements – Guidelines for the prompt release of unwanted hawks apply in many areas.
Consult your state wildlife agency to understand all lawful trapping practices in your locale. Trapping or keeping hawks illegally can result in steep fines.
Trapping Day Strategy
Executing a successful hawk trapping outing requires diligent preparation and patience:
- Set up traps pre-dawn – Arrive before first light and get traps situated quietly in the best locations.
- Camouflage and conceal traps – Use natural vegetation to hide traps from hawks as much as possible.
- Post lookouts a safe distance away – Have spotters ready to notify you of approaching hawks.
- Minimize activity near traps – Avoid spooking hawks away with too much noise or movement.
- Check traps every 1-2 hours – Monitor traps closely but don’t approach too frequently.
- Rebait periodically – Refresh bait every few hours if needed.
- Stay until late afternoon – Be prepared to stay most of the day for the best odds of success.
Patience is key. Even perfectly set traps may take many hours or days to capture a hawk.
Approaching a Trapped Hawk
Special care must be taken when approaching a hawk caught in a trap:
- Bring thick gloves, jacket, hat and safety glasses to protect yourself.
- Slowly and quietly approach from behind if possible.
- Cover the hawk’s head with a hood or towel to calm it down.
- Remove the hawk from the trap carefully but confidently.
- Transfer the hawk to a pet carrier or similar safe enclosure.
- Keep the hawk cool and in a quiet, dark place until transport.
A trapped hawk may try to strike with its talons and beak when approached. Restraining gear like jesses, ankle leashes, can help control a dangerous hawk if needed.
Caring for a Trapped Hawk
Once a hawk is trapped, proper aftercare is vital:
- Provide fresh water for drinking.
- Offer safe natural perches inside the enclosure.
- Keep the hawk in an area with minimal disturbances.
- Do not try to feed an unlicensed hawk.
- Limit handling and human interaction.
- Watch for signs of injury or distress.
- Arrange transport to a rehab facility or licensed falconer promptly.
Proper facilities, diet, and care routines are needed to keep a trapped hawk in captivity long term. This requires special raptor housing and licensed expertise.
Releasing a Hawk
For releasable hawks that no longer need to be trapped, choose a release site that offers:
- Ample open space for flight.
- Tree perches and natural cover.
- Seclusion from roads, structures, or power lines.
- Low disturbance from humans or pets.
- Suitable prey availability and habitat.
Transport and release the hawk during daylight. Carefully remove restraints and open enclosure doors/windows to allow the hawk to fly out on its own. Stay in the area until the hawk fully departs.
Key Considerations for Trapping Hawks
To safely and successfully trap hawks:
- Obtain proper state and federal wildlife trapping permits.
- Use selective traps that are unlikely to cause injury.
- Follow reporting rules and restrictions for protected hawk species.
- Release non-target hawks promptly.
- Handle trapped hawks properly to avoid danger to both bird and handler.
- Provide suitable transport containers and shelter after trapping.
- Deliver rehabilitated hawks to appropriate release sites when ready.
While a challenging task, trapping hawks is deeply rewarding when done ethically and for constructive raptor management purposes. With knowledge, preparation and care, you can master the processes needed to capture these majestic birds of prey.
Conclusion
Trapping hawks takes specialized equipment, location knowledge, strategic baiting, legal compliance, handling precautions, and most importantly, a conservation mindset. For experienced falconers and rehabilitators, hawk trapping allows up-close education and research opportunities with raptors while also providing benefits to wild populations through tagging, relocation, and rehabilitation efforts. When laws and best practices are followed, responsible trapping is a valuable tool in the preservation of birds of prey.
