ducky,
The feds say it’s okay. The state of CA says we’ll follow the feds regulations. So it’s okay. Okay? LOL.
I like a little Wood Duck with my sparkle duns sometimes.
You can believe what you want… I won’t sell it
California Fish and Game code
3039. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section and Sections
3087 and 4303, or any other provision of this code, or regulations
adopted pursuant thereto, it is unlawful to sell or purchase any
species of bird or mammal or part thereof found in the wild in
California.
- Subject to the provisions of this code permitting the sale of
domestically raised game birds, it is unlawful to sell or purchase
any game bird or nongame bird or part thereof.
I Will, however, give it away…
Some years ago I set out to write a detailed article about processing and selling game bird skins. After a tremendous amouont of research, phone calls, emails, letters, official requests for information, and so on, I gave up. The conflicting laws, details, opinions, goofball States’s Attorneys, idiot Federal Prosecutors, even more idiotic Federal Special Agents, and so on were simply too much.
All I can say is there are multiple felonies documentable on ebay every day…
I long for the days when I was in college and selling mallard skins by the hundreds to help me make it through until the next summer’s job. It was such hard work! 
Now certain Feds say the law only covers feathers and you cannot sell the skin with the bird… Complicating a whole lot of things for no practical advantage…
BAM! Wood duck a l’orange by Emeril.
Ed
Not sure I get the “gist” of this thread…
I just ordered some packs of lemon wood duck flank feathers. I don’t know the source of these feathers, but certainly assume the transaction is legal.
Craig Matthews of Blue Ribbon Flies is a very dedicated conservationist. He donates a great deal of time and large amount of funds to protecting the environment.
Is someone saying that his selling these feathers is illegal?
Thanks for any clarification.
Alan, you have mandarin over there?
in CA, IDK about other states, birds raised by licensed “Bird Dealers” can be sold for their feathers. I would guess that is where yours came from…
Only odd ones for ornamental duck ponds. Perhaps the odd escapee from collections. No natives to speak off. Even teal is getting very rare around here. Though I did get treated to seeing an osprey run a golden eagle off yesterday. They don’t like each other at all. Strange that the biggest bird here always gives in when other birds have a go. Shame I didn’t have a lens that could get anywhere near it.
Here’s and example tied with the Egyptian Goose. Would you spot it? They are protected, but I get mine from a bird sanctuary, the cash goes back into running the sanctuary. Supply is irregular, just the odd feathers they loose when they are handled. I’d rather pay for these than be ripped off for wood duck.
Cheers,
A.
Beautiful fly Alan. Looks just like wood duck.
Originally asked if the availability of woodie is shrinking(my word) and then it was mentioned that the CA prohibits the sale of bird(woodie) parts. I think the poster was talking about woodie killed in CA. AlanB mentioned Egyptian Goose, which was/is a substitute and Mandarin, also a substitute. Both were available and used a lot in the 60s when woodie was extremely hard to find or illegal. I have several Herter’s catalogs that have them listed.
Damn, that’s a beautiful fly.
AlanB
I think I actually prefer your feathers to the wood duck I just purchased. I think I prefer the color of the feather you used.
This is one I just tied using my latest shipment from BRF.
Just as a general comment: I have gotten a lot of woodie feathers from hunters here(NY) down through the flyway to Louisiana. The ones from LA were best because by the time the ducks got there(the season starts a few months later), they were more mature. That meant the flank feathers were larger, their coloring deeper, and the black bands were more pronounced and distinct. In short, the feathers off ducks legally shot in LA made the feathers of NY ducks look anemic.
Allan
Nice one Byron. Sorry I don’t have a good supply of Egyptian Goose. I get it as and when. Fortunately for me I don’t get asked for many Catskill style flies. Shame as I enjoy tying them.
Cheers,
A.
Like I said earlier, wood ducks are not rare… Actually, the limits are much larger than they used to be. Also, green wing teal are harvested in large numbers in Louisiana, and the feathers can be sold. The problem is that very, very few duck hunters in Louisiana (or similar areas) tie flies or even care about saving (selling) feathers or otherwise putting them into commerce.
It isn’t the only example of feathers being discarded that have a value to us. There’s one bird, that is considered a pest, not on any endangered list, yet not too long ago a patch of skin, about the size of your thumb nail, with 72 feathers sold for well over $1000. If the locals knew…
Cheers,
A.
Well? Enlighten us about he magic birdie?
As far as woodies go they are part of the general limit here! no reduction
Red Ruffed Fruit Crow. Known as Indian Crow to the classic salmon fly tiers.
Cheers,
A.
kinda difficult to access, no?