Sorry Norm, I know this doesn't necessarily pertain directly to birds in Maryland but it can't hurt!

I hope many of you will consider this important amendment to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, changing the killing of birds from a misdemeanor to a felony. I was shocked to read the report, see article below.

The alert to read to take action and the sponsored bill can be found here:
http://audubonaction.org/audubon/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=7960401

Tyler Bell

California, Maryland

What's At Stake?
Help Raptors, Stop the Illegal Killing

Citizens across the United States were appalled to learn last spring 
that pigeon enthusiasts in Oregon, California, and Texas have 
intentionally been killing Cooper's Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and 
Red-tailed Hawks that they feared might prey upon their pigeons.

The raptors were killed by hobbyists who breed pigeons to carry a 
genetic trait that causes them to stop flying and tumble in the air 
before righting themselves and carrying on. These "roller pigeons" are 
flown in competitions and scored by judges who rate the birds on the 
quality of the "roll" and other factors. Of course, the pigeon rolling 
through the air looks like crippled and vulnerable prey to a hawk, 
falcon, or other bird of prey. Many of these pigeon enthusiasts have 
been routinely killing raptors in an attempt to protect their roller 
pigeons.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that as many as 2,000 to 
3,000 raptors were being killed on the West Coast each year using 
methods including poisoning, beating birds to death with clubs, and 
suffocation in plastic bags. Even more troubling is the fact that the 
thirteen men charged with these crimes received little more than a slap 
on the wrist after pleading guilty. Currently, killing a protected bird 
is a Class B Misdemeanor under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which 
puts suffocating a Peregrine Falcon in the same category as 
unauthorized use of the image of Smokey Bear.

Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon has introduced legislation that 
would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 so that the 
intentional killing of protected bird species would be considered a 
felony, rather than the current Class B Misdemeanor. HR 4093 would send 
a strong message to prosecutors and courts that Congress takes these 
crimes seriously. It would pave the way for significant fines (up to 
$50,000) and jail sentences (up to 1 year) for the most serious 
bird-related crimes.


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