Great Horned Owl

[alk747triodad]

At sundown yesterday, a stranger knocked on our door and asked to use our phone. There is no cell service in our little valley. He wanted to report hitting an owl flying across his windshield and busting his DS mirror. Went to road to take a look and this is what we found. Sad to lose such a beautiful owl.

 

[Godwin]

Happens too often. I've had two screech owls fly into the vehicle I was driving. Both initially survived although the first lost an eye. A fellow grad student rehabbed it a bit and released it but I doubt it survived.

Second was a couple of years ago, about this time of year. Just after dark I was driving into town in the 80 and caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye and heard a soft thunk. I knew what had happened so turned around to check on the owl. It was stunned so I picked it up and went on into town to the store. By the time I arrived at the store the little guy had revived. Well I couldn't now release it in town in a parking lot or carry it into the store. My solution was to wrap it in an old shirt and leave it in the Cruiser.

I went into the store and came out about 10 minutes later. The owl had escaped the shirt and was loose in the 80. Took a minute or so but I recaptured it, held it gently in the shirt and drove back home. Once home showed it to the family and we then turned it loose.

 

[Northbound]

At sundown yesterday, a stranger knocked on our door and asked to use our phone. There is no cell service in our little valley. He wanted to report hitting an owl flying across his windshield and busting his DS mirror. Went to road to take a look and this is what we found. Sad to lose such a beautiful owl.

This is going to sound like an odd question, but could you pull me some tail, wing and body feathers if you're not going to preserve the owl? I've always wanted to tie some flies for fishing with owl feathers. I'll happily pay to have them sent. If not I just appreciate you posting the pics of the bird.

 

[Godwin]

This is going to sound like an odd question, but could you pull me some tail, wing and body feathers if you're not going to preserve the owl? I've always wanted to tie some flies for fishing with owl feathers. I'll happily pay to have them sent. If not I just appreciate you posting the pics of the bird.

Need a permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service and likely your state department of conservation or natural resources for possession.

 

[alk747triodad]

Good stories Godwin.

Supposedly DOT was/is suppose to come pick it up. Trooper notified wildlife but why DOT doing pick up?

Wife didn't like bird laying by road and moved it into a more respectable place in front yard. I told her we are going to jail but she doesn't believe me. We are keeping an eye out for either gub agency.

Sorry Elm, I'll go to jail for her but not you.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Northbound]

Good stories Godwin. Supposedly DOT was/is suppose to come pick it up. Trooper notified wildlife but why DOT doing pick up? Wife didn't like bird laying by road and moved it into a more respectable place in front yard. I told her we are going to jail but she doesn't believe me. We are keeping an eye out for either gub agency. Sorry Elm, I'll go to jail for her but not you. Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

I was wondering if owls fell into the birds of prey distinction. I just wanted one tail feather and one feather from the wing. I'll get one from a local encon guy.

Thanks.

 

[Godwin]

Good stories Godwin.

Supposedly DOT was/is suppose to come pick it up. Trooper notified wildlife but why DOT doing pick up?

Yeah, DOT that seems odd. Maybe inter-agency cooperation or because it was a wildlife-vehicle conflict.

 

[Godwin]

I was wondering if owls fell into the birds of prey distinction. I just wanted one tail feather and one feather from the wing. I'll get one from a local encon guy.

Thanks.

They're on the list of migratory birds

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/RegulationsPolicies/mbta/mbtintro.html.

Legally can't posses the whole bird, parts (feathers, talons, etc.), or eggs. Just FYI here.