Anyone been busted for violating the Raptor Closures?

Has anyone been busted by the rangers for trespassing on rock seasonally closed for Raptor Nesting? What is the typical fine for this? I'm not trying to get anyone all riled up about the actual ethics of closure for raptor nesting, I'm just wondering what people's fines have usually been.

Thanks,
-Scotty

Just don't do it, Scotty.

You can probably ask a ranger, and he'd tell you. And, that's not meant to be an asinine comment. Most people will tell you if you inquire respectfully, and not in the "so, how bad of a reaming am I gonna get when I go do this" approach.

I think anybody who has gotten one wouldn't post here due to the heat they would catch from certain people. But, my guess is that if you take the ignorance approach, you probably get one warning as long as you weren't sitting in the nest with the birds or making omelets.

Regardless of your feelings towards this issue, please consider the fact that climbers are kind of the black sheep of the outdoor world, and you are a liason of the whole herd.

The law might give you a warning but I'm afraid those raptors wont be so forgiving. Have you seen the size of their talons? Given half the chance those birds will tear your balls off. Fines will be the least of your concerns...

I would hope the rangers do NOT give warnings and that the fine is substantial. Anyone who ignores the warnings (which are well posted) and decides they have to send something RIGHT NOW regardless of its affect on protected and threatened species--not to mention the future of climbing in that area--deserves what they get. JUST DON'T DO IT!!!

Like I said I didn't want to start a debate. The website says up to a $1000 fine. Does anyone on this forum know what the average amount is?

Be kind to our fine feathered friends. Or they will tear your eyes out and eat your tongue while you scream in agony.

Scott Rogers wrote: Does anyone on this forum know

Nobody actually knows anything on this site. we just say things.

There was a good article on this subject in one of the recent rock and ice or climbing mags, I can't remember which. Truth be told, most areas that are closed for raptors involve one nesting pair. If people are respectful and careful we could easily coexist with our fine winged compadres, but too many people are dumbshit ignoramuses who would undoubtedly harass the poor birds. I don't know of a single person who has been caught violating closures in Colorado, but I have read numerous accounts of people climbing Devils Tower during the July closure (not the voluntary June one) and the rangers take it case by case. A lot of people busted are foreigners who don't speak english very well, so they technically have an excuse, although the signs are pretty clear that you are not supposed to be on the rock. Like has been stated, I think the US Forest Service would be by far the best place to ask about violations. They legally have to keep a record. There are plenty of places to climb that are open year round, a laws a law even if it is unjust, leave the third and security risk alone 'til August.

There are a few interesting opinions here.
One person I know accidentally violated a closure on the Twin Owls, at Lumpy. They were either minimally fined or warned. I forget which, but a figure of $50 sticks in my head. The ranger was rough on them until it became very apperent that it was accidental, then minimal action was taken. As I was told, there could have been far worse consequences and a court date. For aforementioned reasons by another posted, I'll keep the names to myself.
As well, some species with closures are NOT agressive. By way of example and based on my own personal experience, I'd consider Golden Eagles pretty harmless to climbers, though perhaps the most deserving of respect. Perigrines however can be very aggressive, paricularly juviniles once off the nest. Again, this is in my own personal expereince.
The biggest 'threat' to the birds is that they will spend too much time off the nests and the eggs or chicks will get critically cold.
Also, nervous parents don't hunt, so chicks go hungry, and after shoving eachother ut of the nest, may still starve.
Before anyone bothers flaming me, let me say this- forget your assumptions and start with the idea that I have never knowingly bothered the birds, nor done anything that was illegal nor that I could be ticketed for. So, no lectures necessary.

Don't forget the seagulls. They're the ones to look out for. But, luckily, most of them stay in California.

That's just it, they're quite tricky: Many raptors may appear or even feign docility but must I remind you these creatures are direct descendants of dinosaurs and must I also remind you that the number one ambition of dinosaurs is destroying human life! Its your funeral man. Intentionally approaching their nesting grounds during the ritual season is about the dumbest sh*t I've ever heard of...

timt wrote:
its affect on protected and threatened species--

johnL wrote: I believe this point to be BS. It's political, it sucks, and there's nothing we can do about it.

This is wrong. The parent birds will flee the nest when threatened. The eggs will get cold and die. This is not political. Note: I'm not stating any opinion about closures.

I have encountered nesting falcons while climbing (by accident and no closure). They did dive bomb us quite vigorously but no talons. This part may be exaggerated in above post, but not their sensitivity.

We bailed.

Don't do it Scotty! It would screw the rest of us all over.

That grand fine your talking about is probably a combination of several fines for various transgressions such as trespassing combined with harassing wildlife...etc. A lot of it is up to the officer but even that is limited to a minimum. If your debating it I wouldn't take the chance. If your just asking out of curiosity I'd say depending on circumstances it could even be worse. Poachers can loose their guns/rods, and cars along with other things and in the case of climbing all of your gear as evidence.

Of all the pictures, videos, and being in larger cities; not once have I seen a bird that's made a nest on the building's windows. They might have a problem getting the suction cups to stick, wanna help 'em out?

"' It's political, it sucks, and there's nothing we can do about it.'"

Wah, Wah, look beyond yourself!! All of us due to ego, selfishness, and other contributions, need to look beyond ourselves. There is a need for these closures. Birds are cool creatures: how many of us have sat on a ledge and heard the birds wings flapping in our proximity? And I'm sure many have thought of that flight of the bird, all it sees and playing with all that space, well minus the occasional airplane.

Besides you live in Colorado, many places to climb; hey, no birds indoors!

Chaio :) Juan

Post Script: One bad apple ruins the barrel!!!

Obviously they don't nest on the actual windows, but there are tons of other places for birds in the big city. I was lucky enough to see one of the few peregrines in Chicago (I think it was a peregrine)...

chicagowildernessmag.org/is…

Anyhow, I wont break the closure, but I'm pretty curious about the fines and enforcement as well.

Don't worry, I'm not planning on climbing on any closed areas. I'm not planning on bothering any wildlife, I was just curious as to what the fines were. Thanks to those of you who provided helpful responses.

Watch Out!!!

youtube.com/watch?v=VklTs-T…

Jesus Christ Gnome!!!!!!

I know at least one person who got caught on Blob rock, I believe the fine was in the $100-$200 range.