Greetings from Morning Star Wildlife

I hope everyone has had a happy, healthy holiday season. Unfortunately, this is the time of year I get in unhappy, unhealthy raptors—the birds of prey. Winter is hard on the carnivores, especially the raptors, and I get in a lot of these birds once the weather turns cold.

They come in for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is food is scarce and they have to take extra chances or starve. It is especially hard on the birds going through their first winter. On average, 80% of the first year raptors (hawks, owls and eagles) don't make it through till spring. If you're going to make your living catching little animals, you've got to be very good at what you do or you just don't survive.

If you should happen to come across a downed raptor, be very cautious. They can do considerable damage to you with their talons. If possible, call either me or a Game and Fish Wildlife Officer. But keep in mind that a hawk or owl that can't fly can still cover a lot of ground on foot so if you leave the bird, when you come back an hour later, he may be nowhere to be found.

If you feel that the situation requires picking the bird up, drop a blanket or towel or jacket over the bird to completely cover him. He can't strike at what he can't see. Then you can pick him up (preferably with gloves) and quickly plop him into a cardboard box or a pet carrier. Then you can give a wildlife officer or myself a call.

The only exceptions to these suggestions are eagles. Should you find an eagle down, don't touch him. Call somebody. Most eagles are too big to handle without getting hurt if you don't know how. Not only do they have huge talons on feet as big as your hand, they also bite (along with the associated ripping and tearing!). Best to let someone with experience handle those bad boys!!

Feel free to call me (501-795-1515) any time should you have a wildlife question or problem, especially with the raptors. Hopefully we'll have a mild winter and maybe all the young'uns got extra mice as stocking stuffers for Christmas!

-Lynn Sciumbato

PS — If you haven't ever been with us on an Eagle Watch boat ride, call for reservations and join us Jan. 24-26!!