Duck Hunters Rescue Owl Tangled In Fishing Line

January 28, 2018

A group duck hunting at Salter’s Lake near Century Saturday rescued an owl tangled in fishing line.

Ben Preston, David Preston, Ross Daughdrill, Lakelynn Parker and Tammy Parker were hunting when Ben Preston went out to retrieve a duck that had fallen into a wooded area. He came upon the owl hanging from the fishing line. They covered the owl with a bag while the fishing line was cut.  Ben and Lakelynn wrapped the owl in Ben’s jacket and put him in their boat.

They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a FWC officer met them at the Salter’s Lake Boat Ramp to pick up the owl.

The FWC warns that that monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can snag and entangle birds, sea turtles and manatees, leading to injury and even death.

“People can prevent injury and death to wildlife by committing to stop litter of tackle and monofilament line,” said FWC biologist Ricardo Zambrano.

Tackle should be checked frequently for frayed line that may easily break. Unwanted or damaged line should be stored safely and securely until it can be placed in a recycling bin. The FWC urges those outdoors to pick up, secure and appropriate dispose of any fishing line they may see.

Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

30 Responses to “Duck Hunters Rescue Owl Tangled In Fishing Line”

  1. Billy Gates on January 30th, 2018 7:49 am

    Awesome rescue of one of God’s creatures, no doubt he put the duck hunters in place to perform the rescue. Hoping for a speedy full recovery for this owl. Good job all you guys involved.

  2. Bill M on January 29th, 2018 12:45 pm

    I’m sure Grandpa Nowak is looking down and saying good job. I remember all the injured owls that the game wardens had taken to the Swamparium for re-hab.

  3. brian barrow on January 29th, 2018 9:56 am

    Thank you the owl should become a ambassador for our area and how conservation efforts are made by everyone. We believe in forever wild in Escambia ALABAMA. Northwestern Florida. Grate P.R.

  4. anne 1of2 on January 29th, 2018 9:49 am

    We need to print posters of that Owl hanging from the fish line and post them everywhere. I have fished where Pelicans were tangled in fish line to where they couldn’t open their mouths to eat and ducks couldn’t walk. This is a constant battle for wild life. Great people and report.

  5. Jan on January 29th, 2018 7:21 am

    Lucky owl!!! So glad they found it.

  6. James Kwapil Sr. on January 29th, 2018 12:03 am

    Outstanding! True stewards of conservation, class act on all accounts for these fine sportsman. Gran parents,parents, family and friends should be proud of them. Great job from the James the Badger State!

  7. SF on January 28th, 2018 9:25 pm

    Awesome! True sportsmen are stewards of the land. You did us proud! God Bless

  8. Pineapple on January 28th, 2018 4:08 pm

    Y’all do all of us sportsman proud! Great job! Thank you for taking the time to rescue that magnificent raptor! Good duck hunting. You should forward this story to the folks at Ducks Unlimited.

  9. Whisperjet on January 28th, 2018 3:51 pm

    ..great job guys..you are the kind of young men we need right now in Escambia county…glad you took the time and trouble to do the right thing…and William , please let us know how the owl does…too many folks out hunting and fishing who don’t follow the rules…

  10. Citizen on January 28th, 2018 2:07 pm

    Now that’s my idea of a true Century area beauty queen. Love this story.

  11. Mo on January 28th, 2018 1:00 pm

    Nice job guys,how’s about telling everyone about how the bird is doing..Wanting to know cause I see the wound on its wing…

  12. Tabby on January 28th, 2018 12:23 pm

    Had one on Barrineau Rd where the bridge is being replaced a few years back. Someone had been fishing from the bridge and got hung on power lines. An owl got tangled in the line and was just hanging from the power lines. So sad.

  13. willy on January 28th, 2018 11:09 am

    So refreshing to see the good side of people like this as opposed to the bad side like the person who murdered a horse over in Pace over the holidays. The owl was lucky that good people found it instead of a sub-human.

  14. Jim Murray on January 28th, 2018 11:05 am

    Awesome to see young people participating in not only waterfowl hunting but protecting and helping wildlife in trouble. For all the bad press young people get, 90% are out to make our world a better place.

  15. bobinbusan on January 28th, 2018 10:42 am

    “THANKS”

  16. Perr Baker on January 28th, 2018 10:37 am

    Good job need more people like you best wishes out duck hunting

  17. Aliciakeys on January 28th, 2018 10:32 am

    Aww so cute

  18. Betty on January 28th, 2018 10:26 am

    How refreshing!! A story of kindness to animals. Don’t see these enough.

  19. A. Alex on January 28th, 2018 10:15 am

    What a great story among all the bad in the world. Thumbs up to these young hunters. This shows what all wildlife is to a true hunter

  20. TUMom on January 28th, 2018 9:30 am

    A great big THANK YOU to this group of heroes!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. Rudy Brown on January 28th, 2018 9:23 am

    Great job guys. Ben I know your parents are proud of the man you’ve become.

  22. BPD on January 28th, 2018 9:02 am

    Good Job

  23. Mom on January 28th, 2018 8:38 am

    Thanks for caring. Great job, folks!

  24. Animallvr on January 28th, 2018 8:21 am

    Thank you for taking the time to save this beautiful animal! Everyone needs to realize what what litter can do to wildlife, of course the fishing line and hooks, plastic drink can rings are really bad too, glass jars, etc. Animals will get their heads stuck in them.

  25. John on January 28th, 2018 8:01 am

    Nice some people does still care

  26. Willene Bryan on January 28th, 2018 7:15 am

    So happy for Mr.Owl. Pray he will be okay. We found a baby owl one time that was hurt in our back yard. We called someone and my husband took him to them. Was the cuties thing.

  27. Michael on January 28th, 2018 6:40 am

    Way to go guys !!!!!!

  28. EMD on January 28th, 2018 5:39 am

    So very very nice to hear of someone helping an animal, instead of abusing it. Thanks guys. Good job.

  29. bigbill1961 on January 28th, 2018 5:10 am

    Great job! Way to go!

  30. Trocarman on January 28th, 2018 5:05 am

    Great job guys. Hope the owl will be OK. He looks content being held.