The other day I was driving down a country road and spotted what I am pretty sure was a hawk carcass on the side of the road. I wasn't able to stop and investigate further due to the circumstances but I got to wondering if there are any regulations on the collection of feathers in such circumstances? I seem to remember that eagle feathers are restricted but I don't know about other birds of prey.

I wish I could say what species it was, but I just don't know them that well but the size of it made it a hawk or a large owl I think. I don't think we have any eagles down here in the valley and it wasn't big enough for a condor, though that would also be out of range by a little bit.

Looking at pictures of birds of prey in CA I'd say it was similar in coloring to that Ferruginous Hawk or Rough-legged Hawk or Prairie Falcon

The last time I checked ( 5years) you can not possess those feathers of a Hawk without a Federal permit, or are a Native American using them for religious purpose. I had found a dead Red Tail Hawk at one of our remote sights. I brought the feathers back to work and my boss warned me what the consequence would be if I had them. IIRC $500 per feather and jail time.

^This

Back when I was on the cop job and on the road, I sadly saw several golden as well as bald eagles hit by vehicles. We luckily had a Blackfeet Nation Trooper and he would take the feathers to the tribe, to be used for head dresses, ceremonies, etc. Otherwise, so sad to see them simply get flattened out.

IIRC there are some owls whose feathers are illegal to possess as well.

I live near the river and hawks are common. I often see feathers lying on the ground while mowing. I guess I'd be a criminal if I picked one up?

Migratory Bird Act means Hawk, Eagle, Vulture, Owl, songbirds (Robin, Cardinal, etc), Goose and any other birds that migrate feathers are prohibited from possessing. Sparrow feathers are alright, due to them not being originally natural to North America. Turkey, Pheasant and Quail feathers may be possessed due to them being non migratory. Had to dispose of a Barred Owl feather I recently found due to the law.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
I live near the river and hawks are common. I often see feathers lying on the ground while mowing. I guess I'd be a criminal if I picked one up?

Sounds like it. I think it's ridiculous, but how would anyone tell whether you killed the bird to get it or just found it?

I can't really think of another way to discourage folks killing birds to get them.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
I live near the river and hawks are common. I often see feathers lying on the ground while mowing. I guess I'd be a criminal if I picked one up?

Sounds like it. I think it's ridiculous, but how would anyone tell whether you killed the bird to get it or just found it?

I can't really think of another way to discourage folks killing birds to get them.

That is the reason. All birds of prey are covered.

Shockingly, Turkey Vultures are covered under the Migratory Bird Act. So when you're tempted to dispatch one for crapping all over your house or barn.....think again.

Or practice the 3S.... shoot, shovel, and shut up.

Andrew

Also, someone in Europe may possess any of the aforementioned items (though I'm not sure how they would gain access to them) and we here in North America may possess, as an example a feather from an Eagle Owl, though Europeans are not allowed to. They have their own Migratory Bird Act law, which applies to birds that are native to Europe.

No. An honest mistake, an over zealous game warden and you might have a federal case on your hands.

A game warden once asked about a duck feather I picked up floating in a resevoir.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
No. An honest mistake, an over zealous game warden and you might have a federal case on your hands.

A game warden once asked about a duck feather I picked up floating in a resevoir.

That raises a question I thought of earlier.... ducks and geese are migratory birds but they are popular for hunting around these parts. They must be exempt I guess.

Seeing a hawk get hit, I called one of my Native American friends. “Don’t you have a bag?” Bring it over!” When I mentioned the law, I got “Oh right, you’re not one of us.”

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
No. An honest mistake, an over zealous game warden and you might have a federal case on your hands.

A game warden once asked about a duck feather I picked up floating in a resevoir.

That raises a question I thought of earlier.... ducks and geese are migratory birds but they are popular for hunting around these parts. They must be exempt I guess.

Game birds and waterfowl require a tax stamp to possess. However, if you raise game birds and waterfowl, they are yours until they are in a federally controlled body of water.

In other words your pet duck is a pet until it gets into a river.

There are some legal to posses raptor feathers. Raptors not on the CITES list are considered exotics and can be possessed.

I still have a few Strix Aluco and Buteo Augur feathers somewhere.

It's one of the top federal law enforcement issues next to people ripping the warning tags off of their mattresses.