Warning for you guys

[skiptomylu]

Had someone ask a question about using bird feathers and that told me I should probably warn you guys that are new to tying about this. Lots of different bird feathers are use in fly tying and even small or large birds, but never and I repeat never pick up a Bald Eagle feather, even off the ground as you can get into way more trouble than you may think.

I would check for that problem with any protected bird and stay away from that. There are probable less then a hand full of people in this entire country that are allowed to pick up an Eagle feather and I don't think any of them tie jigs or flies, LOL!

Just a FYI to hopefully save you some problems.

Skip

[revtoby]

Even birds like hawks and owls... Fur from endangered species are illegal in some states.

[gabowman]

Killing protected species for their fur or feathers is one thing, but picking up a feather?!? There again...our powers to be are barking up the wrong tree. You'd think with todays economy they'd have more important thing to be working on.:rolleyes: I dont tie, but thanks for the heads up skip.

[skiptomylu]

Yeah that don't take it light at all about them Eagles for sure. I found this out a few years back and thought it a need to know for guys that tie.

I found this quote about the law on some web site just now.

The law: “Anyone who possesses an eagle feather, and doesn't meet the requirements, could face fines up to $100,000 and a year in prison. A second offense is upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony, and carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The act also provides for a civil penalty of up to $5,000.”

So it's not just a slap on the hand for having a Eagle Feather.

Skip

[C_D]

If it were legal to possess an Eagle feather there would be a market for them, that could cause poaching for the feathers.

Permits to obtain eagles or eagle parts are issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Only enrolled members of a Federally recognized tribe can obtain a permit. The permit authorizes the recipient to receive and possess eagle feathers from the Repository for religious purposes. The following must be presented when applying for an eagle possession permit:

• A completed application obtained from your nearest FWS Regional Office
• Certification of tribal enrollment from the Bureau of Indian Affairs

On the application, you must specify whether you want a golden or bald eagle, a mature or immature bird, a whole bird or specific parts, or have no preference. You must provide a current telephone number so the Repository staff can contact you by telephone when your order is ready to ship. Any changes to your address and/or telephone number must be submitted to your local FWS Regional Office to keep your file updated.
Because of the large demand and limited supply, each applicant can apply for only one whole eagle or specific parts equivalent to one bird (i.e., two wings, one tail, two talons) at a time. Once your request has been filled, you may reapply to receive another eagle. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently, there are over 4,000 people on the waiting list for approximately 900 eagles the Repository receives each year. Applicants can expect to wait approximately 2 and one half years for an order to be filled.
Feathers or parts of bald or golden eagles and other migratory birds may NOT be sold, purchased, bartered or traded. They may, however, be handed down to family members from generation to generation, or from one Native American to another for religious purposes. Native Americans may NOT give eagle feathers or parts to non-Native Americans as a gift.
Federal laws prohibit the import and export of eagle feathers. Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, however, may obtain eagle transport permits that authorize them to travel outside of the United States with eagle items used for religious purposes.
To apply for eagles or eagle parts, or for further information, please contact your nearest FWS Regional Office.

[revtoby]

Wow.... That's one awesome bird. I'm glad we don't have to wait that long for our VBS materials.

[Fatman]

Same goes for songbirds, robins, cardinals, blue jays don't even pick em up you're asking for trouble. It's not hard to check your states rules!!!! If you're gonna tie it's your responsiblity to check if they're legal. And what's legal in one state isn't legal in another.

As Skip said just be careful.

Fatman

[yellowjacket]

SKIP i had NOT EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING NEAR AN EAGLE OR WILD EAGLE FEATHER

[smoothlures]

Can't even have hen turkey feathers here as we have no season on them. I'm sure you can buy them somewhere though.

[skiptomylu]

SKIP i had NOT EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING NEAR AN EAGLE OR WILD EAGLE FEATHER

Well the thing is if someone was out and about in the woods hunting or just messing around, even fishing and saw an Eagle Feather it would be tempting for sure as I be some look great and then the unknowing person about teh laws may just pick it up and thing this would make a great what ever. Well that person need to know how much trouble they can get in if they pick that feather up Before I knew this it could have very easy been me picking one up, but once I learned of that I would never pick one up to even look at it.

So this is just one of the FYI things as I feel sure lots of people have no clue that this can happen if they find and pick up just one feather what it would do to them.

Skip