I saw one of the Snowy Owl’s in Ramsey yesterday. It was sitting atop of an out building at a construction company on Ferret St. and Armstrong Blvd. When my daughter and I arrived, there were several people photographing the owl. I took my requisite photos and left to try and find the other Snowy. We drove around and went back to the owl we saw earlier. By this time, there were many other people who had stopped to take a gander. The owl had moved to the top of a spruce tree and was very interested in the photographers, quite a ways away from me. Then, the owl flew right at one of the photographers. It was then I realized that they were baiting the owl. I It is so sad that this is still going on. At one point, the owl was so close to the “baiter” that I know it touched him, and he actually had to jump back away from it. Very, very dangerous for the owl AND the man. If the owl would’ve happened to hurt the man with those sharp, very strong talons, then what? It is the owl who suffers. They were all laughing and carrying on like it was a big joke. Anyone could tell the bird was stressed. I witnessed them throwing out 2 mice, and from the lady next to me, was told it was the 4thtime that they had done it. I was too disgusted and had to leave. It is very unfortunate that about 90% of the beautiful photos you see of owls are from baiters, “cheaters” is what we call them. Mostly “closet” baiters, as they know it is wrong but still do it. I am a photographer and an amateur birder, and am ALWAYS putting the bird first and foremost. And we all know that this will continue to happen until the laws are changed, unfortunately.
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