GREAT HORNED OWL "HURT" who to call?

[JSV]

<span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Verdana">Came in to work this morning and saw an Owl cross in front of me and appeared to have a broke wing or something.

</p></span><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Verdana">I stopped and watched the Owl for a few then went about my morning business. Went back down to the area to see if he had flown off and he had not. The crows were bombing him and I ran them off.

</p></span><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Verdana">I called the Nature Center and they don't do recovery missions. They suggested to call the ZOO. I called TWRA and they put me through to a dispatcher and they too said they didn't do rescue operations. I called the ZOO and of course they do not go out and retrieve animals but would take it if someone brought it in. I am not going to risk attempting to rescue the Owl. I probably would do more harm than good or it would probably harm me!

</p></span><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; font-family: Verdana">My question is: Is there anyone to call which would rescue this Owl? TWRA and the ZOO both said let nature take it's course and I am fine with doing that however I have been to the ZOO and Nature Center on field trips and have heard their lectures and how this and that was rescued yet when push comes to shove as in this case, seems like no one really cares!

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[rsimms]

You could call a commercial wildlife control service... but of course you'd have to pay them.

Having been in the "wildlife business" in the past... I can tell you that responding to "injured animal" calls could easily turn into a fulltime job. I fully understand why the government services don't/can't do it. I for one do not want my hunting & fishing license dollars spent on a game warden trying to catch wayward possums out from under someone's house. Homeowners can pay a professional to do that for them.

As for the non-profit groups.... I can't speak for them. I'm sure they make such decisions on a case-by-case basis... and it's probably largely based upon their staffing at any given time.

I would say that most of the indiduals involved probably do "care," but their respective organizations simply can't afford to care too much.

 

[JSV]

rsimms - 11/28/2010 11:44 PM You could call a commercial wildlife control service... but of course you'd have to pay them. Having been in the "wildlife business" in the past... I can tell you that responding to "injured animal" calls could easily turn into a fulltime job. I fully understand why the government services don't/can't do it. I for one do not want my hunting & fishing license dollars spent on a game warden trying to catch wayward possums out from under someone's house. Homeowners can pay a professional to do that for them. As for the non-profit groups.... I can't speak for them. I'm sure they make such decisions on a case-by-case basis... and it's probably largely based upon their staffing at any given time. I would say that most of the indiduals involved probably do "care," but their respective organizations simply can't afford to care too much.

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I agree Richard. TWRA has it's hands full and this isn't something I would expect them to come out to do. I called them to get advice and they did lead me in the right direction. It would be a full time job and both the ZOO and CNC both mentioned they were undermanned and over budget. It's no big deal. I figured I would try and see what would come of it. </p>

I bet if I suggested I had a gun and was going to put it down, I would of got a quick response and hefty fine with a court date! For the record, I do not have a gun and will let nature takes it's courseemoThumbsup </p>

I am tempted to try to capture it and take it to the zoo. The dang Crows wont leave it alone. However, I am uncertain of it's injuries and thus probably will let mother nature take care of it.</p>

 

[cuonthelake]

Hope this helps, got a few calls out and continuing to Google for help...

Jeff of Clarksville reports on tn-birds that a Red-tailed Hawk, that was hit
by a vehicle today on a road in Montgomery County, TN, died before he could
get it to a rehabilitator. He asked: 1) Where could he take it if he
encounters another injured hawk? and 2) What could he do with the dead
hawk?.

The nearest known permitted raptor rehabilitator for the Clarksville area
is:

Walden's Puddle
8131 Jackman Road
Joelton, TN 37080
Telephone: (615) 299-9938

For other areas, the closest authorized raptor rehabilitator can be
determined by calling the nearest Regional office of the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency, from 8 a.m to midnight, as follows:

TWRA Region 1, Jackson, TN: 1-800-372-3928
TWRA Region 2, Nashville, TN: 1-800-624-7406
TWRA Region 3, Crossville, TN: 1-800-262-6704
TWRA Region 4, Morristown, TN: 1-800-332-0900

 

[kdxdude]

I bet if you shot the owl to end its misery the Wildlife Officers would show up. Good ol Government. All about the bottom line & not doing what is right.

 

[kdxdude]

JSV - 11/29/2010 12:05 PM

However, I am uncertain of it's injuries and thus probably will let mother nature take care of it.</p>

With all due respect JSV, you are part of mother nature too. I know how I would handle it. Best of luck on your decision.

 

[FROGGER]

I found a owl once that had been hit by a car and threw a jacket over it,picked it up an carried it to the emergency animal hospital on Amnicola hwy, they took it an said they would try to nurture it back to health. hope this helps

 

[JaSkynyrd]

FROGGER - 11/29/2010 2:19 PM

I found a owl once that had been hit by a car and threw a jacket over it,picked it up an carried it to the emergency animal hospital on Amnicola hwy, they took it an said they would try to nurture it back to health. hope this helps

I would try to throw a blanket over it and see how it took it. It may calm down or maybe stay calm if it can't see and then put it in a travel cage. If it freaks out when the blanket hits it I would leave it alone.

 

[finbully]

We had an injured Goshawk in Colorado and the man that came out used a large hoop net to capture it. If you do this, when picking it up you will need very heavy gloves or the talons will stick you to the bone.

 

[JSV]

Now the rest of the story................................... I wasn't going to let it suffer through the rain tonight!!! I can kill deer and fish since I eat them but I hate to see something suffer. We attempted to contact everyone we could and no help. The one lady which we were told that could help was out of town and the contact she gave us did not return the call. </p>

So........... </p>

......... </p>

......... </p>

.......... </p>

I went and got my 22 and shot the dang thing and will be trying owl stew tonight! I bet it would taste like chicken!!</p>

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</p>

emoPoke emoPoke </p>

</p>

I didn't do that either! </p>

</p>

I decided to capture it and with the help of a few people at work, I was able to get it in a position which allowed me to get a box over it and then use a piece of a flat cardboard box to slide under it and flip the rascel into the box. It wasn't easy but it worked! </p>

You would not believe the power of the jaws of one of these birds! It didn't bite anything but it sure did hiss and snap its beak together. I believe it wanted to see if humans taste like chicken or for some of our Democraticic friends maybe ratsemoLaugh just joking!!!emoPoke </p>

I hope to have a safe report tomorrow and a good ending. </p>

I will either take it to the ZOO or nature center tomorrow. I will call each"again"and see what would be the best option. I would think the ZOO since the Nature Center said they didn't take animals (but they sure are full of good stories for kids field trips about rescues)! If neither want it then I will do the 22 OPTION and see if they taste like chicken emoScratch emoCool emoPoke</p>

I will find a home if it makes it through the night. It is in a very large box in our shop in the dry. </p>

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[dragfish]

Cattanooga Nature Center/ Reflection Riding, have to look them up but the deal with that kinda thing or can point you in the right direction.

 

[JSV]

dragfish - 11/29/2010 8:37 AM Cattanooga Nature Center/ Reflection Riding, have to look them up but the deal with that kinda thing or can point you in the right direction.

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</p>

Been there and done that but will contact them againtomorrow to see if they would be interested in helping it out if dropped off and delivered. However the ZOO said they didn't have the man power (understandable) to do rescues but if delivered they would take cae of it.</p>

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[3391]

Do the right thing and put it out of its misery. I work for TWRA and no one will say a thing. Good luck

 

[jimwarden]

"The Animal Clinic" in Athens used to help us with injured hawks and owls. You might call them to see if they still do.

 

[elwestb]

Good for you JVS! I just got and and read this and was about to try and contact you and go out after it myself. I had a Great Horned Owl as a kid that my Dad caught when it was a baby. It must have fallen out of a nest. He was deer hunting. It was really a great pet! We would let it out at night and it would show up the next morning! We feed it hamburger! But do be careful, they have some huge claws and they bite the crap out of you other wise! Have you heard it "pop" that bill yet?

 

[JSV]

elwestb - 11/29/2010 9:04 AM Good for you JVS! I just got and and read this and was about to try and contact you and go out after it myself. I had a Great Horned Owl as a kid that my Dad caught when it was a baby. It must have fallen out of a nest. He was deer hunting. It was really a great pet! We would let it out at night and it would show up the next morning! We feed it hamburger! But do be careful, they have some huge claws and they bite the crap out of you other wise! Have you heard it "pop" that bill yet?

</p>

I believe it is pretty mature and being a pet isnot aoption although in my younger days as a boy, I kinda remember a similar story growing up (about or with an Owl and a Crow and a squirel and did I mention a racoon)! Those were the days and I am only 40ish!</p>

Yes....that pop of the beak was intimidating!</p>

 

[elwestb]

... oh no, not a pet now! It'll rip you!

 

[dragfish]

elwestb - 11/29/2010 8:28 PM

... oh no, not a pet now! It'll rip you!

Name it Roy,you'll be fine!

 

[elwestb]

... that bird was named Roi! Not Roy, Ron!

 

[fishmedic]

Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Dont know if they will travel here to get it or not but I know they have owls at their center and have a Vet on staff to Rehab critters. They have a web site or you can pm me and ill give you the number.