Because the old man shares his remote mountain homestead with various sick or injured animals in need of attention, many of the townspeople have labelled him as "crazy".

When the townspeople start assuming that he and certain other newcomers are a threat to the safety of the community, they begin an effort to oust these tramps.

In an attempt to prevent the vigilantes from getting out of control, Billy's father, Dan Baker, is persuaded by the local sheriff to volunteer as a temporary unpaid deputy, and Billy makes some important discoveries about prejudice, responsibility, courage and friendship.

Baker's Hawk began four weeks of location shooting in the mountains of Provo, Utah on July 19, 1976 and production continued in Burbank, California.

The film was released in 300 movie theaters across the United States and Canada on December 22, 1976.