What I found shed hunting today

[britenocks]

Well, I went to the woods to listen to Turkey's gobble and to look for some sheds. Here is what I found. Unreal

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=48&pictureid=339
(http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=48&pictureid=339)

[britenocks]

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=48&pictureid=340
(http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=48&pictureid=340)

[britenocks]

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=48&pictureid=341

[riverdude]

Babby Owls right?
Was a nest near by?
Poor little guy's look kind of sad. Hope they live.
Riverdude.

[britenocks]

Yes they are Great Horned Owl chicks. The nest was in the tree above. There were pieces of animals on the ground around them where momma was bring them some food to eat.

[redcloud102]

Thats cool to see. Nice pics. Just hope they make it :).

[britenocks]

I called the DNR and let them know what I found and I also sent them the pictures and they said they would be fine. I was worried about them making it. I sure hope they do make it.

[jackalope]

They are way to young to make it on the ground like that.. The will fall prey before they can fly..

You need to call your local Wildlife Rehabilitators. Here is a list on the Ohio DNR Site. For an Avian Predator they are going to need a Permit II.. Also call your DNR Officer and if you can't get him ten call Div HQ..

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Home/resources/orphans/rehabilitators/tabid/6013/Default.aspx


Edit: I just saw your post from where you called the DNR.. Did you tell them they were full of Crap.... There is no way a flightless bird on the ground surrounded by carrion will survive. A coon / opossum / cat / dog / yote or anything else will have them killed soon. Clutches hatch In Late February to Mid late March and typically leave the nest after 1.5-2 months.. In other words the DNR told you these birds will be fine for the next month or two living on the ground.. HA yeah right...

Call this guy see what he thinks.. A Wildlife Rehabilitator in your area.

Co: Lucas
DeYonker
Diane
Natural Science Technology Center
Toledo
(419) 537-1198
II

[deerhunt45]

Very cool pictures!

Did they fall from the nest, were they injured? Or did mama owl put them on the ground for recess :D

[Gern186]

Very neat pictures.

If they are eaten by predators, that is the circle of life. Look how many baby rabbits and other mammals are eaten by the same owls when they are adults. Let nature take its course.

[laxin]

Regardless of what happens, what an awesome find and thanks for getting the pics and sharing.

[XSPOTKILLER]

Cool pics!

[FinelyShedded]

I can't remember the last time I came across a couple young owls or any other birds of prey for that matter while tramping through the woods! I've seen lots of neat things, but this is really something special. Owls are one of my favorite talon totin' birds and I sure hope those little fellers make it. The circle of life can be brutal at times, but if you can battle through it, you'll be stronger because of it!:idea:..........WILL SOMEBODY CALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND GET THESE GUYS OFF THE GROUND AND PUT SOMEWHERE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bouncy:

[antiqucycle]

First day turkey season last year, hear some wierd sound up in the top of an oak. about 3 minutes later, mama owl arrives with what looks like rabbit guts. Lands, hoots, and here comes junior to land next to her, she fed him and off they went. So these two are at least two weeks from flying.
I wonder how many more were in the nest, there might be two more up there and these two got booted out. But They wont last two days with coyotes around unless they can fly and perch.

[Mountaineer]

Britenocks..
Awesome find;)

Man..I love hearin Owls in the morning before daylight..Here's a couple i taped before daylight.

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq13/flog/th_videomo07004.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq13/flog/?action=view&current=videomo07004.flv)

[benehunter]

Whatever you do, do not touch them or move them. Do not listen to people saying you gotta do this and that. The best advise I can give you is to leave them alone; especially if you seen animal parts around confirming the parents feeding the chicks.

If the DNR said they would be fine, then they will. Let nature take its course. You will be surprise how quick they grow and take off the ground.

Awesome find, I wish I find stuff like that when in the woods.

[britenocks]

I went out to listen for gobbles and shed hunt and I found a crossbow bolt,a turkey decoy stake tip( the point that goes in the ground ) numerous turkey feathers and then the find of the year. The 2 little fluff balls. It was an awesome day in the woods. Don't care if I find any sheds this year after that.

[jackalope]

Whatever you do, do not touch them or move them. Do not listen to people saying you gotta do this and that. The best advise I can give you is to leave them alone; especially if you seen animal parts around confirming the parents feeding the chicks.

If the DNR said they would be fine, then they will. Let nature take its course. You will be surprise how quick they grow and take off the ground.

Awesome find, I wish I find stuff like that when in the woods.

How fast they will grow and take off is 1.5 to 2 months after hatching. Those birds are probably only a few weeks out of the eggs. So at a minimum they have 1.5 months on the ground.. Just because Momma is feeding them doesn't mean they will be fine.. Sure other birds are reared on the ground like turkeys and ducks and most make it.. But they are not surrounded by carrion. It will take a scavenger 2 nights at most to find them if not the first night..

I'm glad you place so much faith in the DNR being a know all.... Most likely IMO The DNR motives were more that they didn't want to deal with the hassle of "rescuing" them and the expenses incurred..


The phone number to the Natural Science Technology Center i posted earlier will probably be happy to have them if they have an Owl rehabilitation center. They have a Class II permit and don't need the DNRs permission to rescue Owls..

Nature can be harsh. Yes, but these aren't muskrats we're talking about here.

[Schu72]

I'm with Jackalope on this one. I'm a bit of a bird monitor, mostly sonbirds, but my reference book says approx 35 days from hatch to flight for great horned owls. Even if you assume they are 14-20 days old they will never survive 2 plus weeks on the ground. Very cool pics, but I'm afraid this will have a bad ending.

[cjd3]

Very cool find.
I would have a hard time doing nothing too.
Either way, keep us posted if you go back.

[Gern186]

How fast they will grow and take off is 1.5 to 2 months after hatching. Those birds are probably only a few weeks out of the eggs. So at a minimum they have 1.5 months on the ground.. Just because Momma is feeding them doesn't mean they will be fine.. Sure other birds are reared on the ground like turkeys and ducks and most make it.. But they are not surrounded by carrion. It will take a scavenger 2 nights at most to find them if not the first night..

I'm glad you place so much faith in the DNR being a know all.... Most likely IMO The DNR motives were more that they didn't want to deal with the hassle of "rescuing" them and the expenses incurred..


The phone number to the Natural Science Technology Center i posted earlier will probably be happy to have them if they have an Owl rehabilitation center. They have a Class II permit and don't need the DNRs permission to rescue Owls..

Nature can be harsh. Yes, but these aren't muskrats we're talking about here.


We're talking about flying coyotes. There are too many owls and hawks around already. There are next to zero predators for owls once they can fly. If they make it they make it, if not, that's the circle of life. Remember, kittens are cute and cuddly when they are babies, but look at the damage they do when they grow up.

[jackalope]

We're talking about flying coyotes. There are too many owls and hawks around already. There are next to zero predators for owls once they can fly. If they make it they make it, if not, that's the circle of life. Remember, kittens are cute and cuddly when they are babies, but look at the damage they do when they grow up.

This.. I can not argue with...

http://nomm.com/Stills/images/CheckmateD.jpg

[WhitetailFanatic]

Great find! sounds like you had a good day out!

[riverdude]

Morning Britenocks.
Just wondering if you have an update on those two little guy's you came across? I almost hate to know but just wondering.
All the best,
Riverdude.

[britenocks]

I will be there again on Saturday and I will see what is going on. I will give an update then.

[riverdude]

Thanks.
I hate to think what the news will be but I have a feeling I already know.
Look forward to your reply all the same.

[Buckeyearcher]

Everyone is so quick to take wildlife outta the wild. Yep it ain't the best situation and if you want to help mount a box up in a tree a bit to get them off the ground. The mother is still taking care of them so let her do it.

[britenocks]

Was out there today and they are still a live. They have moved about 10 yards but they have been eating well. Did not see momma but I am sure she was around.

[redcloud102]

Great news. Glad they are doing good and hope it all goes well. Keep us posted.

[riverdude]

Britenock,

That is great to hear, I thought for sure it was going to be bad news.
Hope the little fellers make it. Keep us posted.
Thanks. :D

[Siman08/OH]

Great find, hopefully they survived!

[jackalope]

Was out there today and they are still a live. They have moved about 10 yards but they have been eating well. Did not see momma but I am sure she was around.

Cool. Do you have some new pictures of them. I would like to see their development.