Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: billy on June 03, 2013, 09:30:44 pm
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Was just curious as to the legalities of using great blue heron feathers for fletching. I googled Herons and the laws concerning them and found that they are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act and that it is illegal to possess the bird itself or to disturb its eggs or nest. But I did not find anything on the unlawfulness of possessing their feathers or using them for fletching. They are not protected under the same restrictions that raptors, eagles, owls and vultures are, at least that I could find. Any one with any knowledge on this? Would help greatly! Thanks!
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Illegal. The Fed. Migratory Bird Act covers parts as well as whole.
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That law applies to geese too, but no one has an issue using them. Is there a hunting season for herons? It might make a difference using feathers gathered from legally hunting.
Patrick
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Illegal. The Fed. Migratory Bird Act covers parts as well as whole.
Ditto Billy. Not legal at all whether road kill or molted feathers. I use to work for USDA Animal Damage Control and always tussled with US Fish&Wildlife biologists and officers when using propane cannons to deter herons from private fisheries.
Tracy
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The federal law was written to eliminate plume hunting, ie. feather hunters. ;)
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Yes, Migratory Bird Act protects Blue Herons. Most wild birds except for English Sparrows, pigeons, and starlings are protected. Game birds are, of course, allowed. There is also a big difference between crows and ravens. Crows can be hunted in states that allow it. Ravens cannot be.
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You can add Eurasian Collared Dove to the list of invasive non-native species that you can possess.
As for heron, not just no but heck no!
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I have a pet parrot and have considered using her sheds for fletching, but she never sheds enough to make it possible.
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Yeah, but what few arrows you made would be very nice!
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Thought of using blue and gold macaw tail feathers blue on one side gold on the other
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Thought of using blue and gold macaw tail feathers blue on one side gold on the other
That would look great!!!!
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What about duck feathers? you can find them in craft stores, and you can also find molts quite easily.
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Other than turkey and goose, just about every is illegal. If you can find someone that keeps peacocks, they have kind of a rusty pink feather that looks good with either turkey or grey goose. There are a lot more people around with those birds than you might think. I have a fellow that picks up the sheds for me.
Robby
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Pea cock feathers strip real easy to but they would probably still need a little sanding the ones i stripped the other day seemed a bit thick.
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Other than turkey and goose, just about every is illegal. If you can find someone that keeps peacocks, they have kind of a rusty pink feather that looks good with either turkey or grey goose. There are a lot more people around with those birds than you might think. I have a fellow that picks up the sheds for me.
Robby
In the US, legally harvested waterfowl feathers can be used. I use all of my duck & geese primaries.
Tracy
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Peacock wing feathers make great fletching, and tail feathers make great fishing flies! As for parrots, and macaws, check your local pet stores, for molts, etc. Stay away from any protected species. I ...... uh ...... know of someone who used to use road kill heron feathers for Snook lures...... ::) Check with some of the Texicans on here, and see if they can get you some Sand Hill crane feathers, since they have a season on them down there. ;) But I think there are two species of Sand Hill cranes, white or grey ones, and brown ones. I don't know if both are hunted down there, or just one species.
Wayne
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They both taste like steak ::) 8)
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Ah! A welcome reprieve from everything tasting like chicken! :)
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They both taste like steak ::) 8)
Sandhill cranes are called "Flying Rib-eyes" for a reason. Yummers!
But any migratory bird that can be legally hunted CANNOT be traded in any way, shape, or form. If you legally killed a common mallard and took a red cent for a feather you have commited a Federal crime. Even gifting these parts can bring you under scrutiny. Just don't do it. There are so many legal turkey feathers and they are more than 'good enough' for the job, heck, they are the best!
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Thought of using blue and gold macaw tail feathers blue on one side gold on the other
That would look great!!!!
how about scarlet macaw--one yellow feather, one blue feather, one red feather ;D
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I'd like to have enough Macall or Parrot feathers to make an arrow with a Jade point.
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Ya know, there is this exotic wild bird pet store down on the avenue. I may have to stop in and introduce myself.
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Thanks guys for the responses. I'll not use Blue Heron feathers then. Found a dead one on the edge of a lake in my neighborhood and was thinking bout collecting the feathers but wanted to make sure it was o.k. first. They woulda looked pretty on my arrows, but I don't want to get in trouble. Pity that legal BS lets something as mundane as a feather, which could make pretty arrows, instead go to waste. But what else can you expect with such an out of touch and corrupt organization like our govt?
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But what else can you expect with such an out of touch and corrupt organization like our govt?
There's been other threads on this subject and they explain clearly the reasoning behind it. It makes sense and I agree with it. Look up the thread. Kayaking through wetlands you find a lot of shed heron and egret feathers but it's illegal. However, I see old guys sometimes with feathers in their hats that are from birds that are not legal. The majority of people are ignorant to these laws and don't get in any trouble. Petty laws like this don't apply to seniors I guess. lol
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Tim;
Being old, also guarantees, privileges ;D When I was young I could act stupid ::), Middle age I had to pay the fines :'(, When you are old, you can say that's the way I did it growing up and didn't get in trouble. ::) ;)
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The law was passed because crews with 4 gauge punt guns were blowing away entire flocks of birds to get feathers for ladies' hats back in the day ladies wore hats. The law may go too far, but game wardens can't tell how you got a feather, so they made the law the way it is. I'm not saying that's necessarily right, but they're trying to protect wildlife for the benefit of all.
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Of course, some are now thinking we need to have a branch of the government created to regulate and license the collecting of these feathers. Ya really think we need MORE layers beaurocracy?
As for referring to our government being out of touch and corrupt, I would debate that is not the matter of these feathers. If there were corruption, there would be a way for you to corrupt the USF&W and get your feathers without threat of prosecution. Instead, it is strictly fair. Nobody get's 'em.
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Actually, I did a little deep looking and found out there is such an agency and an application form to collect feathers. I will cut and paste it below:
U.S DEPARTMENT OF FEATHERS AND ANIMAL PARTS
FORM 5623/5
APPLICATION FOR POSSESSION OF FEATHERS FROM PROTECTED AVIAN SPECIES
Please answer each question listed below. You must file a separate form for each individual feather, regardless of species. Penalty for perjury is not less than 5 years in prison and/or $10,000 fine.
1.) What species is the feather from?
a.) Waterfowl
b.) Raptor
c.) Upper Lake Winnipesoki Garbage Vulture
d.) UH-60 Blackhawk
2.) What is condition of feather?
a.) Pristine.
b.) Run over by various vehicles a few times.
c.) Came out of McDonald's dumpster (only applicable for seagulls, crows, and ravens.)
d.) Covered in fecal matter.
3.) What do you plan to do with feather?
a.) Fletch arrows (submit FORM 7789/3.6 ARROWS FLETCHED WITH RESTRICTED FEATHERS PERMIT for each individual fletching on each arrow.)
b.) Mardi Gras mask.
c.) Ribald activities (Please describe in detail using FORM 6969/3 CONFIDENTIAL USE OF FEATHERS.)
d.) A spirit told you to keep it.
4.) Where is the feather now?
a.) Glove box in truck.
b.) Cletus' back yard.
c.) Bedroom (see FORM 6969/3, fill out in detail, submit recent photo.)
d.) Hanging from rear view mirror.
5.) What color is the feather?
a.) Red
b.) Blue
c.) Striped green and white
d.) Magenta
Submit form along with $200 application fee to nearest office. Please wait 5 to 6 years for reply.
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It is illegal of course, but how would Blue Heron feathers fair? I have snow, lesser canadian and speckled belly feathers from a hunt.
Cipriano
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Driving home from town this week I hit a Red Tail Hawk with the Expedition. I had a choice, wreck the vehicle or go forward. I almost cried when it struck the grill. I wanted so much to go get the feathers, but sighed and drove on home. What a sad waste.
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Driving home from town this week I hit a Red Tail Hawk with the Expedition. I had a choice, wreck the vehicle or go forward. I almost cried when it struck the grill. I wanted so much to go get the feathers, but sighed and drove on home. What a sad waste.
Jon, you should have called a game warden. It's illegal to even to hit them, you still can get fined. I cannot condone your actions. I'm sorry, but I simply cannot.
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Are you kidding Mike_H. :-\ I would like to see them make that stick. :-[ Don't use stuff like that much but to be honest I have never been ask what my arrows were fletched with, or what kind of head I was using,and have been checked a lot over the years. :)
Pappy
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If you need the real answer to reporting and possible fines for striking a hawk, and not something a friend's cousin's, sister's, boyfriend heard a Game Warden say, try this location.
You can't be fined for hitting a Hawk with a vehicle in Tennessee.
There is no reporting requirement if the bird is dead in Tennessee.
TWRA Region 2 Office
Ellington Agricultural Center
P.O. Box 41489
Nashville, TN 37204
615-781-6622
1-800-624-7406
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I am reminded of a funny event (well, I thought it humorous anyway) that happened here some years back. A guy accidently hit a Golden Eagle here that had been feeding on a roadkill elk by the road. He put the bird into his car and took it home to call Game & Fish. He parked the car in the garage and left the door open and went inside to call. He came back into the garage and this bird had only been stunned and was now fully awake and running around in his garage. This eagle was not happy to see him. Game and Fish came out and was like, "Uh-oh...what now???" This eagle was not happy to see Game & Fish, either. A raptor rehabber was called and from what the paper said at the time, they had a lot of "fun" catching this eagle. Guy got lucky the bird did not gain consciousness while he was driving. Eagle went to the wildlife rehabber and all was cool. But carpooling with a Golden Eagle was an experience all involved will most likely never forget, including the eagle.
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What does illegal mean ?
Never heard such a word before !!
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What does illegal mean ?
Never heard such a word before !!
Illegal is a word that only applies to people that get caught. >:D Don't worry about man.