As the population continues to decline in Canada, it becomes more difficult to accomplish these objectives. Therefore, it is essential to preserve historic nesting sites by encouraging land-owners to maintain small parcels of pasture in their present condition. It is also important to install artificial nest burrows in areas that are lacking. In addition, it is essential to maintain a 600-m radius surrounding nest burrows free of pesticide and herbicide application, gopher control, and other human disturbances that might jeopardize survival of both young and adult owls. All areas considered for installation of artificial nest burrows or release programs should be located at least 600-m from both primary and secondary roads.
Birds of prey are in great danger.
Their numbers have been drastically reduced over the last few years since people have been killing them in a variety of ways. Some people shoot and trap birds of prey because they are said to kill a numerous amount of farm animals. However, this is a mistaken idea. Birds of prey tend to kill relatively few farm animals. Instead, the main food source of birds of prey are the animals that are the farmers' worst enemies such as mice, rats, insects and other crop destroyers.