Originally Posted by
wyodjm
It may be beneficial in the future to define an eyass as a young raptor hatched that year and have a specific eyass taking season, with specific dates. I say this because here in the west, people may want to take an newly fledged prairie falcon or goshawk that is out of the nest, but is still at the nest site and hanging with the family group.
Traditionally, this would be called a soar hawk. It would be quite easy to catch a fledgling prairie falcon or goshawk on a noose carpet over a dead and bloodied pigeon or quail. Wyoming's legal dates for taking eyass raptors is between June 10 and July 5. The issue of taking fledged eyass raptors in Wyoming has never been an issue of concern for the State of Wyoming as long as a licensed falconer took the bird between these dates.
Some people may specifically look for early fledged birds so that they could intentionally trap a young bird at the nest site on a noose carpet. As I mentioned earlier, however, they would have to do this by the July 5th deadline. Here, in southwest Wyoming, there are plenty of prairie falcons out of the nest ledge but hanging with the family group.
Be careful not to restrict yourself too much with literal definitions. It may close important windows of opportunity. Take dates have worked well here.
Dan