I am not clear about the legality of the Schuyler crow shoot. The American crow is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. However, there is a "depredation order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows, and magpies." This can be viewed on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, link below:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=9c040593bbdf74735e0a72d67dcacf29&rgn=div8&view=text&node=50:8.0.1.1.4.4.1.3&idno=50 In the order's language, crows can be killed when they "are committing or about to commit depredations on ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner that they are a health hazard or other nuisance". In addition, non-lethal methods of control of depredation must be tried before lethal methods may be used. Non-toxic shot or non-toxic bullets (from a list of approved shot) must be used if a firearm is used. I question whether the Schuyler crow shoot is in accordance with federal law since the plan is to shoot crows anywhere in the county, and simply for recreation and to win a competition. Fred Kardon -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
