2015 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | The High-Flying Hunt |
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| Date Aired or Published | June 6, 2015 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | Telegraph-Journal |
| Name of Program: | |
| If co-produced, list partner: | |
| Location: | Saint John |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Talk about a polarizing issue. As the only remaining province with no regulations in place regarding falconry, locals who want to practise the sport are prohibited from owning or flying their birds. Falconers identify as nature lovers, while conservation experts tend to consider the practice unnecessary and unethical. The group pushing for regulation claimed that they were stonewalled or given the runaround in their attempts to engage with officials on the issue. This feature may have helped initiate a conversation between the two sides, with former Natural Resources Minister Denis Landry confirming to the Telegraph-Journal he’d be willing to meet with the group to being discussing feasibility. This story was generated through an editor’s curiosity on the practice of falconry. Initial research found that it was, in fact, illegal in New Brunswick, while every other province has varying acts and laws in place that regulate falconry in either commercial or recreational applications. Reporter Victoria Dekker then sought out members of New Brunswick’s would-be falconry community through online forums and groups, residents who were attempting, without success, to start a conversation with the provincial government about what could be done to allow falconry in New Brunswick. She then reached out nationally to find out how falconry works in other provinces. Dekker’s thorough, descriptive and informative writing sheds light on falconry: what it is, how it’s done, what birds are involved, and why people are so fascinated by teaming up with a raptor and heading out for a hunt. She was diligent in ensuring the story was balanced, speaking with falconers and conservationists alike. She spoke with a biologist with the provincial government about what would go into establishing regulations. Dekker gave a voice to members of the community who were struggling to be heard, and informed readers about falconry - this interesting partnership between human and bird, an experience that is not available to residents here. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: The story took more than two months to complete. Reporter Victoria Dekker sought out sources from all sides of the falconry debate, including veteran falconers outside of the province, falconers young and old who had to surrender their birds or training once they moved to New Brunswick, conservationists, a biologist and the provincial minister of Natural Resources. |
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