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on falconry and conditions of approval that the keeping of the hawk would need to be in accordance with State and federal laws. Ms. Decker stated that staff did not specifically address the location where the bird could hunt and noted that and if Bishop Ranch or Shadow Cliffs and other state parks are available for this use, the applicant would need to obtain the appropriate permits. Commissioner Blank inquired whether the Pleasanton Municipal Code was mute on the subject of hunting inside City limits. Ms. Decker believed that hunting is generally understood to be with firearms and likely defaulted to those regulations that a firearm may not be discharged within the City limits. She noted that it was her understanding that falconry would be regulated under the State requirements. Commissioner Blank noted that a bow and arrow did not need to be licensed but that a crossbow must be licensed. Ms. Decker indicated that hunting would probably be prohibited within the City limits. Ms. Harryman indicated she would need to research this. Commissioner Blank indicated that the would like to have an answer to this. Chairperson Fox inquired whether hypothetically she would be able to trap small animals to feed to a mountain lion kept caged in a back yard. Ms. Decker replied that this issue would be likely governed by the State and federal agencies. She noted that while many people fed mice to snakes and lizards, it would be on a different degree for a python. A discussion ensued regarding other wild animals, permit requirements for mountain lions and snakes, and what is considered hunting or feeding of wild animals in captivity. Commissioner Blank noted that families with a member allergic to furry animals often kept reptiles which eat small live rodents as part of the food chain. Commissioner Olson noted that he frequently saw wild hawks hunting in the skies, especially in the summer, and that they were without any human supervision. Ms. Decker noted that Exhibit F, which originated from the Internet, did not have the direct source at hand, and Exhibit E, taken from www.desertusa.com/august96/du_hawk.html , contained additional information and clarification about hawks and the art of falconry. She noted that falconry was an ancient practice that has been kept alive as a sport. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding when a hawk would be leashed or fly free and whether this is occurring in open spaces in Pleasanton, Ms. Decker replied that a hawk would fly free and may be tethered on each leg with a belled leather tether called a jesse. The jesse would enable the owner to hear the bird if it left the line of sight. She noted that it would not make sense for a falconer to let loose a hawk in a neighborhood because there is no clear line of site, and fences may need to be climbed if the hawk would need to be retrieved. She indicated that falcon hunting occurred in gently rolling hills in open space. She noted that she understood that with appropriate permits, open space near Bishop Ranch, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), or the Lawrence Livermore Laboratories may be used by falconers. Ms. Harryman interjected that the Pleasanton Municipal Code had no reference to hunting or trapping with respect to hawks. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2007 Page 7 of 19