Rare Falcon Shot in Howe-Arco Area

In mid-October, someone shot a gyrfalcon that was sitting on a fence post in the Howe-Arco area. The rare falcon, belonging to falconer Jack Oar, was shot with a high-powered rifle west of Summerhouse Canyon near the top of the Little Lost River drainage. During hunting or training flights, falcons like this will often range out several miles, with the falconer using radio telemetry equipment to follow the flight and recover the bird. In this case, Oar found the young falcon lying dead at the base of the post. "Jack and other falconers throughout the state have worked for decades to try to educate and inform people about these magnificent birds and the key role they play in the environment," said Dave Smith, president of the Idaho Falconers' Association. "It's time for everyone to step forward and say that we won't tolerate this kind of senseless destruction." Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Idaho Fish and Game or Citizens Against Poaching at 1-800-632-5999, available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. CAP will pay $100 for information leading to an arrest. The Idaho Falconers' Association is offering an additional reward of $1,000 if the information leads to a conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for this crime.