Some Cliff Tops and Overlooks Are Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrines

February 24, 2026
9:53 am

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Imagine you're perched on a sheer Vermont cliff, rifle slung over your shoulder, scanning for that perfect shot during hunting season—or just soaking in the view with your spotting scope. Suddenly, a sign declares the spot off-limits from March 15 to August 1, all to shield nesting peregrine falcons from your disturbing presence. That's the reality hitting hikers, climbers, and yes, outdoor enthusiasts across the Green Mountain State, courtesy of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont. Nongame Bird Biologist Jillian Kilborn and conservation biologist Margaret Fowle are pleading for a respectful distance, warning that these speed-demon birds (clocked diving at 240 mph) freak out around humans during breeding season, potentially abandoning nests. It's a temporary closure on select cliff tops and overlooks, but it spotlights how fragile public land access has become. For the 2A community, this isn't just about birds—it's a flashing red warning light on the incremental erosion of our outdoor freedoms. Peregrines have roared back from DDT-induced near-extinction thanks to bans in the '70s, a conservation win we can all cheer. But here's the rub: once sensitive species justify shuttering cliffs for months, what's next? Deer fawns in the woods? Owl nests blocking your favorite range? Anti-gun enviro-activists already frame target shooting as noise pollution scaring wildlife—remember the lawsuits against ranges in California and New Jersey? This sets a precedent where government and NGOs can lock down prime public lands under the guise of protection, squeezing out hunters, sport shooters, and Second Amendment practitioners who rely on these spots for training and recreation. It's not hyperbole; the pattern mirrors how temporary COVID closures became permanent fixtures in some areas. The fix? Get loud, 2A patriots. Support groups like the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs pushing back on overreach, and hit up your state reps to demand science-based, minimal-impact rules—not blanket bans. Document these closures, share maps on forums like Rokslide or 2A-specific subs, and pack alternatives like private ranges or low-impact optics practice. Peregrines deserve a shot at thriving, sure—but so do we, without trading cliffs for clipboards. Stay vigilant; our rights don't nest quietly.

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Imagine you’re perched on a sheer Vermont cliff, rifle slung over your shoulder, scanning for that perfect shot during hunting season—or just soaking in the view with your spotting scope. Suddenly, a sign declares the spot off-limits from March 15 to August 1, all to shield nesting peregrine falcons from your disturbing presence. That’s the reality hitting hikers, climbers, and yes, outdoor enthusiasts across the Green Mountain State, courtesy of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont. Nongame Bird Biologist Jillian Kilborn and conservation biologist Margaret Fowle are pleading for a respectful distance, warning that these speed-demon birds (clocked diving at 240 mph) freak out around humans during breeding season, potentially abandoning nests. It’s a temporary closure on select cliff tops and overlooks, but it spotlights how fragile public land access has become.

For the 2A community, this isn’t just about birds—it’s a flashing red warning light on the incremental erosion of our outdoor freedoms. Peregrines have roared back from DDT-induced near-extinction thanks to bans in the ’70s, a conservation win we can all cheer. But here’s the rub: once sensitive species justify shuttering cliffs for months, what’s next? Deer fawns in the woods? Owl nests blocking your favorite range? Anti-gun enviro-activists already frame target shooting as noise pollution scaring wildlife—remember the lawsuits against ranges in California and New Jersey? This sets a precedent where government and NGOs can lock down prime public lands under the guise of protection, squeezing out hunters, sport shooters, and Second Amendment practitioners who rely on these spots for training and recreation. It’s not hyperbole; the pattern mirrors how temporary COVID closures became permanent fixtures in some areas.

The fix? Get loud, 2A patriots. Support groups like the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs pushing back on overreach, and hit up your state reps to demand science-based, minimal-impact rules—not blanket bans. Document these closures, share maps on forums like Rokslide or 2A-specific subs, and pack alternatives like private ranges or low-impact optics practice. Peregrines deserve a shot at thriving, sure—but so do we, without trading cliffs for clipboards. Stay vigilant; our rights don’t nest quietly.

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