Check with the USF&W website for rhe regulations on migratory bird feathers and skins.
[url=http://www.access.gpo.gov./nara/cfr/waisidx_01/50cfr20_01.html).:deac8]www.access.gpo.gov./nara/cfr/waisidx_01/50cfr20_01.html).[/url:deac8]
Sorry guys, they’re not going to lock me up this time.
Regulations;
subpartB
paragraph 20.11 Identifies the snipe as a migratory bird. Same as some ducks geese swans etc.
Subpart J
paragraphs 20.91 and 20.92 deal with the commercial use of skins and feathers and we along with pillow makers are home free. At least the way I read it. We can buy, sell, barter feathers as long as they were legally obtained. I didn’t see any "special regulations in regard to snipe feathers and skins! Maybe you better have a look!
addendum: Yes, coots are included and listed along with other migratories. We could trade barter sell and buy all the feathers we want to (so long as they are legally obtained0. Also included are ducks geese brant coot Virginia rails, sora rails, gallinules, woodcock and snipe.
Ol Bill
[This message has been edited by snipe (edited 02 September 2005).]
Sometime ago this subject came up and I contacted the Federal boys in regards to coot feathers. As most folks know it is legal to shot coots as well as snipe at verious times throughout the year.
What one must be careful of is the classification of the bird. Many birds are classified as Migratory, but only ducks, geese, swans and brant are birds from which feathers, etc can be traded, sold, bartered, etc. Thus is I wanted to trade some coot feathers to Snipe for snipe feathers I would be in violation of the federal law. This may sound inane but I asked the F&W folks if I could just give them away and I never got a definite answer - but I do believe it would be legal. Here is a picture of the US Code:
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/Panman/FederalCode.jpg:c6080]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/Panman/FederalCode.jpg[/url:c6080]
guys, you can cut out the stress by importing them from Steve Cooper in UK, Steve is at [url=http://www.cookshill-flytying.co.uk/:8cb09]http://www.cookshill-flytying.co.uk/[/url:8cb09] and gets his skins legally, cures them himself and has a good reject rate.
I am sure that between organising the British Fly fair Steve will be pleased to take your orders by visa or similar, currency and distance no barrier; and he supplies the best in the business.
I have no vested interest in the company, tho he just might just buy me a beer,… if I can catch him
Yeah, with all the things going on in the world, the DEC guys and Feds have nothing better to do than come into your home and check out your fly tying materials! Not only that but one of them is going to approach you while you’re on or alongside a stream and ask you if you tie your own and what materials you use, etc. Then, if you happen to mention a feather that’s ‘questionable’ or downright illegal, that officer has to prove the material is what you said it was. After all, you may have bought it thinking it was a substitute, not the real thing. If the officer wants to check your tying supplies he’ll have to get a warrant. Etc, etc.
When I’m in my car I usually listen to ESPN Sports Radio. In the morning there are 2 hosts, I think their names are Mike & Mike. They have a daily award called the “Just Shut Up Award”. When approached by any individual and if he asks about specific materials, I suggest, “JUST SHUT UP”.
I just ordered some snipe and moorhen from Blue Ribbon Flies in Montana. They did have some in stock even though their website showed they didn’t. I believe the customer service said they had some more left over after my order.
Mike
My order is in hand. Ordered Monday, shipped Tuesday and got here today. Very pleased.
There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.
Patrick McManus
[This message has been edited by maddog48 (edited 02 September 2005).]
Maddog… and Al
Its no good going by common knowledge when dealing with the government. In this case you can see that prevailing thought was no good. The laws have been changed and it seems that noone gave enough of a damm to check them out.
As far as I can see we’re home free with this one and why not. The limit for snie in New york state is eight so there can’t be a big shortage of them.
If you check the reasons for the old laws, You’d probably find them to be beneficial to one pressure group or another. Probably to feather merchants of one type or another. Heck…it hasn’t been too long ago that I saw a fashion model on T.V. with a hat utilizing several hackle necks…I LMAO! I wish that I could remember the commentary it was funnier than the silly hat.
Ol’ Bill
1932
But If you want a monster trout
Just fish a skulpin by the snout!
Yes the snipe is considered a migratory bird, along with a whole host of others to include coots and crows. But the snipe, which may or may not be considered a waterfowl, is not a duck, goose, swan or brant. Here is a copy of the E-mail that the USFW service sent me.
Panman
Yes, After rereading the regs I can see that ‘Migratory waterfoul’ and ‘Migratory game birds’ are treated separately.
But at least we can use feathers from birds we have shot. I think also that one should be able to give away and barter skins and feathers of these birds…who cares about selling them except the businessmen. I did see something in there about wanton waste and the way things are now is wanton waste in my opinion.
Roy Christe,
I don’t know what the laws are on Starling and English sparrow skins and feathers but they are considered a nuisance here! We can supply them to you by the hundredweight or ton whichever you prefer!
Sparrows and gray Squirrels beat me out of over 60 pounds of bird seed this year and its probably my fault that there are so many of them. I dare not touch them though…not for fear of the law but the wrath of my Irish wife.
![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/Panman/FederalCode.jpg[/url:c6080]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/Panman/FederalCode.jpg%5B/url:c6080%5D){kind=link}