Saw these while taking a walk yesterday
goldfinch
bluebird
Tempted, but left them where I found them. Picked up some shed goose primaries by a creek, so that was pretty nice compensation.
Regards,
Scott
I live with that temptation regularly. We have 3 feeders on our deck and there are frequently cardinal, wren and sometimes blue jay feathers on the ground. I do pick up an occasional mourning dove feather, but I don’t think I have ever used one. I have been hoping for a grackle (they are legal to kill) but haven’t had one in the yard in forever.
Uncle Jesse, I think grackle came off the “legal to kill” list in the US about 3-4 years ago. I posted about plans to shoot some for feathers and another FAOL’er posted a link to the relevant bit of legislation. I forgot who posted it, but I’, very glad they did.
Regards,
Ed
Here’s the list
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/regulationspolicies/mbta/MBTANDX.HTML
It’s not all-inclusive because there are birds not on the list that are covered by the Endangered Species Act or other state or federal legislation.
From a USGS notice on possession of migratory birds http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/birds/feathers.htm
“all species except the house sparrow, feral pigeon, common starling, and non-migratory game birds like pheasants, gray partridge, and sage grouse, are protected.”
Guess this thread was timely; certainly wouldn’t want to see Jesse end up in the slammer.
Regards,
Scott
Anyone ever actually been busted for using fledged feathers? The same kind of rules are in place here to prevent folks from shooting protected birds, but nailing us fly tiers for using found feathers seems a bit extreme don’t you think?
I’m curious to know if a CO officer has ever stopped to check out what materials were tied onto anyone’s size #22 wet fly…ha!
David,
Don’t know if it’s urban legend, but I heard a tyer at a show was busted for having prohibited feathers. I don’t really see it as extreme - who’s to say how the feathers were collected? Anyone could say they found a stray feather or 2 laying on the ground; they could just as easily be walking the woods with a pellet gun harvesting hackle and winging materials. There’s so much legal stuff available to tyers that there’s no reason cross the line.
Regards,
Scott
David, if there is a CO who doesn’t like you, it would give him the excuse to bust you. If a CO somewhere needs to fill a quota for citations, the same could apply. It would just be giving someone a chance to vent his/her bad day at your expense.
Regards,
Ed
I remember reading about an artist who had made pictures from hundreds of carefully glued feathers. Her exhibit was visited by the U.S. fish and wildlife officers who confiscated them and arrested her. No one questioned her statement that they were all found feathers she and her friends had picked up but she was still charged.
CDC feathers from ducks at a city park pond, should be legal, correct?
Bob9
Careful … could be taken as a confession
okflyfisher,
Only bought from on-line fly shop - so far. Seen plenty at the pond.
A few years ago a sixth grader in southern Indiana had a science fair exhibit confiscated for having feathers he picked up in his back yard. He was warned but not charged and his display ended up in a museum.
It is just not worth the risk.
Jerry
Thanks for the feedback and I can see everyone’s point here.
We likely have many of the same situations here as you folks do, for there is always someone out there who will break the rules. Unfortunately, that’s what makes it difficult for the good folks who follow them. Although I have never come across a CO having a bad day, they likely have many more than I could imagine. My personal encounters have always been favourable, for I like most folks always play the game by the rules and have nothing to hide, even though I rarely see a CO. I guess I just assumed they were always busy on the lookout for illegal practices and game limits and was just surprised to learn that a fly fisherman might get busted over his/her use of feathers. Never thought that a CO might go to the extent to check out a fly pattern for illegal feathers…unless one gave him a reason to do so I suppose.
On a quiet night, somewhere in Texas, men in wearing uniforms & body armor and wielding assault rifles gather around a residential door…
<BAM>
<BAM>
<BAM>
“Open up, in the name of the law!”
“Don’t try to flush away the evidence!”
“We have had a tip. We know you have duck-butt feathers! Surrender and come along peacefully. Don’t try to fly!”
Even George Orwell didn’t have nerve to put something like that in his book…
Regards,
Ed
Prove I personally took the tag off the mattress…
No feather pillows here, just foam!
We know. Your mattress had a security camera installed because you had already been tagged as a “troublemaker”. The secret camera in your mattress has provided us with some interesting videos. But remember, we are here for your benefit. We would NEVER take advantage of your personal information. <snicker>
Regards,
Ed