Wild animal - Captured! (updated p. 5)
 

Well this isn't bowhunting related, but maybe you guy's could help.

I was outside this evening and found an injured screech owl on my side walk. I didn't want to see it freeze to death so I caught it. The dang snow was over my 18" boots in my yard and got down to my feet during the chase! [:@] Aside from some angry looks and some loud beak clicking, the capture went well. I wore gloves just in case.... ;) We're supposed to have a below zero night tonight so I put it in a box and brought it in my basement. I tried calling a few places but got no answer. It was after 5 PM. It's a cool looking bird.

Are there places that take injured animals like this? If so, who do I call? Thanks.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

It looks like it needs to go to Anger Management.

You probably could call the DNR and they would have info, or Im sure someone here will answer.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

I would call the a vet.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

DNR or a vet...

I love the eyes, probably one of the neatest things nature provides...

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

I would guess and say call the DNR. Owls are beautiful animals thats cool stuff. Since your taking care of him for the time being-you should find out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop..

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Not to be mean, but that would be one bad ass mount:D Just the response you would get from folks, but Greg you are doing the right thing.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

call the wisconsin humane society....they have rehabilitated screech owls before.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

That's actually a Great Horned Owl. There are many raptor rehab centers across the country. USF&W or your local state DNR should be able to get you in touch with one. In the meantime try not to make loud noises (excited kids) around it, handle it as little as possible and keep it's head/eyes covered (and wear heavy gloves) when you do. You'll have to have a special permit to have it so don't think about keeping it as a pet!

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Yeah, and maybe they'd let you have visitation rights with it from jail.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

x2....but illegal. Can't mount one without a permit, and they usually only give those for instances where it will be put on display in a museum or school or something.

Awesome animals though, I love owls.

I'd call the DNR and see what they say to do with it.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Greg here is the DNR Madison number, 608 266 2621, they are there until 10:00pm usually, sometimes they can help. You probably saved this guys life for the night, going to be -20 degrees below with the wind chill and then some, well done buddy!

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Ha Ha, I dont know Greg, Looks like a Great Horned Owl to me! Call the DNR in the morning, they will come and get it or let you know who can take it off your hands.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Greg, that is cool. You did your good deed for the day. This happened to me about 8 years ago,I was working outside and found and injured screech owl as well. I caught it and took it to a Raptor rehabilitation center. Ended up being a bad infection and he would have died within a day or so. They ended up curing him and releasing him back into the wild.

Shane

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Good catch and was going to be my first sentence as well.

Greg, nice job and please let us know how it turns out.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

That thing looks mean, I'd hate to really anger him.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Guy's, it's way too small to be a Great horned Owl. I just saw a couple of those last week. This thing is SMALL! My pet pigeon could whip it's ass! [:-]

I've caught Screech owls before and I really believe that this is one of them. They come in many different color variations. This thing is no more than 10" tall. By this time of year, the baby Great Horned owls would be darn near full size and a heck of a lot bigger than this one.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Owl is owl to me, I have no clue the difference between them.

What did you end up doing Greg?

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

He's resting in a box in the basement right now until I get a hold of someone tomorrow.

He is quite fierce looking though!

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Looks cuddly. :D

Geez if those things were a couple feet bigger I don't think I'd leave the house.

[:-]

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

pretty cool Greg hope all goes well for the bird...take care of him;)

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Call your DNR, who ever takes him has to be raptor certifide to take care of him.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Call someone cause birds of prey are federally protected and fines run big for possession if yoor friends or neighbors get wind you have it. remember if two people know a secret and you want to keep it that way..one has to die.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Damn, I just got done studying both owls in images and I have to say, it's tougher than hell to tell them apart for me, except perhaps size. I apologize. Now I honestly don't know.

Please let us know. Thanks Greg.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Now that is cool looking kina looks like TFOX when he wakes up from a hangover [8D]Thanks for the snow pics to. I couldnt remember what it looked like. We have had none stick on the ground in my area yet this year.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Nice catch! I hope you find a good home for him. My first call would be to the DNR.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Greg I think your owl is actually a "Long Eared Owl" and if it is, it alsolooks like it's an Endangered species and illegal to keep any part of ;)
Don't be tucking away any feathers for your hat. LOL

http://www.illinoisraptorcenter.org/Field%20Guide/longear.html

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Greg, that is a Long eared owl. Neat fellas and actually let you get very close even when uninjured. I see them from time to time outside my house, but only during the winter.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

I havent read all the post, but regardless, that is a beautiful animal.
Derek

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

I think we have we have a winner but hellifiknow. :D

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

You're right now that I study them closer. I'mabove average with seabirdsbut raptors I hardly deal with other than eagles or the occasional peregrin. I'll defer to those wiser than I. In any case it's pretty cool. Owls are by far my most respected bird, with the obvious exception of wild turkeys!

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

I too think Matt is right. Good call Matt. I briefly looked up owls of Wisconsin and this long eared species wasn't even listed. The one I caught must be lost! [8D]

BTW, if it were a Great Horned owl, I would have never tried to catch it with what I was wearing! I would have had to put on thicker gloves and possibly a helmet. [:-]

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Description: The Long-eared Owl is a medium sized owl with conspicuous ear tufts. The ear tufts may be completely invisible when they are laid down, as they are in flight. Its colors are similar to the Great Horned Owl although its slender shape, smaller size, large round orangey facial disk, (that extends far above its eyes), and cross barred chest set it apart. The facial disk is circled with black that often has distinctive white inner and outer borders; white eyebrows and lores; orange to lemon yellow iris; and black around the eyes. The upper parts are dark brown mixed with white, black, orange, buff, and gray. The under parts have a white base color with some mix of orange and bold dark brown cross barring. The white tail feathers are barred with dark brown (note the distinct difference of the fine horizontal bars on the under parts of the Great Horned Owl).

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Here is a picture of a screech owl that was sleeping on my electric meter.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Hay, it looked bigger in the picture! :D

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Yep, if it was a great horned owl, youd need a lot more protection than that. Great Horned Owls are probably they largest predatory bird in North America, although Bald and Golden Eagles are larger, I think the GHO is more of a hunter than either of those two. Cool pics. Careful though, some peckerhead DNR official could cite you for being in possession.

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

It is a great horned owl and Greg I will have somewhere you can take this pretty soon.
I consulted with a buddy of mine who actually studies Owl's and I should be getting a call
soon. I will call you on the Cell.

T

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Yeah he looks pretty pissed! LOL. What did you end up doing with him Greg?

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Dang, he looks possessed by the devil himself....

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

So...is owl the other, other white meat?[8D]That thing looks big in the pics. I say you keep it and let it perch on your shoulder....you know, kinda like a pirate with his parrot.:D

RE: Wild animal - Captured!
 

Peak,
Greg said it's around 10" tall LOL :D
That's one serious midget Great Horned Owl.

Look at the link I posted and pull up both pictures side by side and look at the markings and features. Other than Greg's being a little fluffed out because it's winter and he's pissed. they're identical.

I'm still going with Long Eared Owl.