Advice on offering feathers

Hey guys, I do not tie but am absolutely addicted to checking out the amazing ties you guys produce every morning with my coffee lol.

My question is I am an avid duckhunter and usually have to send a wing sample of each duck we harvest to the US Fish and Wildlife for survey. I live in Illinois and if there is nothing illegal and anybody would be interested i would save any feathers you prefer off the ducks we harvest usually around 200 a year ranging from teal, woodies, gadwall, pintail, mallards, shoveler, widgeon, and most of the freshwater diver species. I do not want money if you would just post you pics.

Does anybody see a problem doing this or is there some sort of permit you need.

I think it is ok. Lots of guys skin their birds, ducks, pheasants, quial, even turkeys. They then scrape all the fat off the hide and cover it in borax. After the hide has cured they sell them on e-bay. I have bought a lot of bird skins off e-bay. You might want to check it out.

I would check with your dnr person, Im pretty sure for personel use your ok but to sell to public it is a no, no.

Ok did some checking on this issue and there is a difference in birds that are hunted and ones raised for their feathers. In other words wild birds you can not tie and sell, but some people raise them for their feathers and they are okay to use and sell. It becomes a problem when a wild bird is shot (even legally) and then one gets the feathers even free it's against the law to tie with them and sell them. Thankfully I have a lot that I bought as I have bought some what they call big bags of Mallard and other kinds of ducks. I even have a pound of Mallard Flank I bought that is legal.

I sure which I could take you up on these for sure, but doubt it worth taking that risk. Lots do I feel sure, but when or if they ever get caught I bet that is a huge fine since it's Federal!

So here is another warning for you guys, don't hunt ducks and use them, you better be buying them from the Fly/jig material shops.

Thank you for the offer, but don't want a big fine or jail time, LOL!

Skip

lab,Id be happy to take some off your hands,but only if I can send you some jigs in return :) ....Cant imagine that being illegal...

You can use bird feathers you shoot legally. You cannot sell them. I just spoke with the enforcement officer of the Louisiana Wild Life and fisheries. He did say state to state will vary in the way they handle it.

Sure looks like you can to me. --> Subpart J—Feathers or Skins

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...50cfr20.92.pdf

Then you may also get into a bind since they would need to cross state lines which may be a whole different matter. I would love to take him up on this offer, but don't want to tempt fate. Darn I hate this kind of stuff!

Skip

PA where did you get this from... This is great stuff. I have many hunting buddies... I don't tie many feather jigs to sell. But I do have a few costumers that is all they want.

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Originally Posted by skiptomylu

Then you may also get into a bind since they would need to cross state lines which may be a whole different matter. I would love to take him up on this offer, but don't want to tempt fate. Darn I hate this kind of stuff!

Skip

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I agree Skip. I visted a couple of waterfowl forums and the concenus is personal use is no issue. And sale is ALWAYS check with your state's game/conservation/wildlife department.

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Originally Posted by revtoby

PA where did you get this from... This is great stuff. I have many hunting buddies... I don't tie many feather jigs to sell. But I do have a few costumers that is all they want.

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just did a google search on "legal use of waterfowl feathers" and started down the list. I literally had to read the legal jargon about 5 times b4 I could understand it. Just be sure to NOT allow your wife or daughters to make jewelry! LOL!

Go through this alot with fly tying materials

§ 20.91 Commercial use of feathers.
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Any person may possess, purchase, sell, barter, or transport for the making of fishing flies, bed pillows, and mattresses, and for similar commercial uses the feathers of migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, brant, and swans) killed by hunting pursuant to this part, or seized and condemned by Federal or State game authorities, except that:

(a) No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter for millinery or ornamental use the feathers of migratory game birds taken under authority of this part; and

(b) No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter mounted specimens of migratory game birds taken under authority of this part.

[38 FR 22021, Aug. 15, 1973, as amended at 45 FR 70275, Oct. 23, 1980]

§ 20.92 Personal use of feathers or skins.
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Any person for his own use may possess, transport, ship, import, and export without a permit the feathers and skins of lawfully taken migratory game birds.

Now I know the brant and swan can cause problems with a few states. but ducks as far as I know have never been a problem. I've been in fly tying material swap box's and there's always duck feathers and pheasant feathers.

What I posted is the federal rule check what your state says and you'll be fine. It only takes a little homework to be safe.

Fatman

Thanks guys i will check with our local cpo who is my hunting partner as we are both in law enforcement so i can insure you that i will make sure it is absolutely legal before shipping. I will post back when i get the final decision on it.

I sure would love some Wood Duck Lemon Flank even if I just use it for personal use. I have more Mallard than I will ever use.

Skip

You can give them or sell them to whoever you'd like, as long as they're intended for tying! I've seen this question over and over on jig and fly tying forums. I'm a waterfowler as well, and trade with folks all the time.

Skip

That's what I look for too LOL!!!!!!!! Those are the hot feathers for tying wings on classic Catskill style dry flies

Yes Fatman they are very nice and beautiful. I have some, but figure I will never have enough since they are a bit hard to get. I think maybe I will just buy some anyway and if I can get some other places then fine by that too.

I bought a whole Oz. of Chuckar barred feathers as I got tired of buying the whole skin just to get them. I probably have bought over 15 birds over the last few years so was happy to find them by the Oz. I guess I should use the rest of the bird for soft hackle and what ever else I can use. However nothing like the barred ones on the Chuckar.

I think maybe I have a thing for barred feathers, LOL!

Oh just got a few hen neck/capes that are pretty nice, but also am going to get some JV hens from Denny soon. I want some of the tiny feathers for wings and such.

Skip