Substandard Hawk Chalk Photos
On page 18 of the Dec 2014 Hawk Chalk (HC), the NAFA Northeast Director urges all members to walk “…a path that will ensure that we look good to the public who know nothing about falconry….[we should] think long and hard about which images we choose to make available in a public setting…” I completely agree with Scott McNeff’s perspective.
That being NAFA’s position, why was a cover photo of a Red-tailed Hawk with broken primary wing feathers chosen for the Dec 2014 HC? Similarly, the Aug 2013 HC back cover reveals a Harris’ Hawk with broken tail feathers. While almost all falconers have experienced broken feathers, these should be corrected with Imping, or photos of substandard birds like these eliminated from publication.
Animal rights activists would surely recognize these raptors as being poorly handled in captivity by falconers. When it comes to PETA and similar groups, we are all guilty by association; it is imperative that only the very best images are selected for publication in a national magazine that depicts licensed falconers.
NAFA has an Editorial Review Committee; that committee should be responsible for illustrations and photos, as well as text copy. Stacia Novy
NAFA Publications Are Not Private
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BestBeagler
So why post it here on a public forum? Take it up privately with those that could possibly make a change based on your suggestion.
NAFA publications have been sold on eBay, Amazon and Raptor's Nest; they are published on the Internet by ISSUU; therefore, NAFA publications are readily available to the general public. Also, anyone can order a volume, member or not, by submitting an official interlibrary loan request.
One should never assume that NAFA publications are private and viewed only by NAFA members. Therefore, NAFA publications should adhere to the highest possible publication standards because of the potential for negative public reactions to falconers and falconry.
For the record, I informed NAFA officials internally about such discrepancies (I saved all email traffic on this matter) and offered to help with editing for years. However, all suggestions were ignored, so I'm hoping a different strategy will prompt improvements. I want NAFA to be the best club that it can be. Stacia
Broken Feathers Are Not the Norm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NMHighPlains
On Dec 2, I trapped an immature female RT with several broken wing tips and a crushed deck feather. She looks, in fact, a lot like the Hawk Chalk cover bird. I am very disappointed to learn that what I trapped is, based on the condition of her feathers, a "substandard" bird. I just figured she was a go-getter and damaged those feathers tussling with jack rabbits. Or coyotes. Or elk.
I'll cut her loose tomorrow.
Birds with broken feathers are the exception, rather than the rule. In fact, so rare, that banding stations and refuges that I’ve worked at document the bird’s condition when trapped because it is unusual.
In any case, a wild bird--or an individual falconer that houses a feather-damaged bird in the privacy of his/her own home—is quite different than publishing cover photos of one in a publically-available magazine that is representative of all falconers. There is no reason to promote imperfect birds in a magazine, especially when NAFA has an editorial review committee to prevent such images from reaching public scrutiny. The perception is there that falconers are mishandling birds in captivity and “damaging” them.
It is foolish to think that “nobody will notice the difference”. Animal rights activists are informed and educated; they have veterinarians, animal researchers and lawyers working for them. They already use images of animals tied outside in the cold, with bare patches of fur, inadequate leashes or broken equipment, to appeal to public sentiment. Published falconry bird photos should not resemble these emotionally-driven visual aids.
I am not the first person to identify this trend: it has been brought up in past Hawk Chalk articles, at NAFA Meets (sick birds or ones with damaged feathers being perched in the weathering area in full view of the public) and by members of NAFA Leadership. If NAFA is going to urge members to exercise caution when selecting images of birds/falconry for public display, then NAFA Leadership should do the same. Otherwise, it appears hypocritical, and members are less likely to follow the advice of NAFA Leadership. Stacia