On Mon, 20 Mar 1995, Irene Wanner wrote:

> Tweets:
> The dove feather discussion got me wondering: does anyone collect
> feathers for tying flies (for fishing)? I don't mean kill birds for
> them; just pick them up.... Is it illegal?
> Irene
>

Irene -

Yes, it is technically illegal to take or possess even the feathers of
migratory birds (Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations), unless those
feathers were legally obtained. Wood duck feathers for fly tying can be
legally obtained from a duck hunter who takes the duck during a legal
hunting season...

Those who scavenge hawk, owl, eagle, flicker, etc. feathers are
technically violating federal law, as promulgated in 50 CFR under
authority of Title 16 US Code (The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916).

Individuals who do not possess a federal salvage permit are not permitted
to salvage migratory birds or their "parts", let along take (hunt, shoot,
kill them with a car on I-5, or drown them in a gill net) a migratory
bird. Hunting licenses are specific permits to take a few migratory
birds, and a federal permit (the "Duck Stamp") is also required in this
instance.

Birders who find a dead bird should have a person with a current salvage
permit pick the specimen up to avoid potential problems with state or
federal enforcement types. Persons with salvage permits are strictly
required to account for all specimens salvaged and turned over to
qualified institutions (State Fish & Wildlife, University of Puget Sound,
etc.). Even some university researchers have had specimens seized and
lost the chance to obtain future permits because they have not had
current permits or have not fulfilled their professional responsibilities
and adequately accounted for migratory bird specimens.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, WA
anderjda at dfw.wa.gov