feathers

[Muttly]

ok, i understand that feathers, especially from certain eagles are sacred for religious purposes. (some tribes??) my question is how or why is 'registration'(??} of each one tolerated or is that still done?? do the freds really have jurisdiction over religious ceremony on tribal lands?? is there a registration fee (read tax) on each one or am i misinformed??

if you are gifted with a feather from an eagle out in the middle of nowhere, do you just walk away??
i know they're endangered and protected and all to prevent deliberate harvesting but really??

i hope for an education on the subject!!

[OLChemist]

Yes, in the US ownership of eagle feathers is restricted to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. You are required to have a permit for your feathers. Feathers and body parts from salvaged carcasses are issued to qualified applicants by the National Eagle Repository. (There is a pilot program establishing programs for the feathers and parts of other species restricted under the MBTA.)

Federal Eagle Repository

Unfortunately, the restrictions on eagle feathers imposed by the BGEPA are necessary in the face of habitat loss, hunting, and pesticide-induced losses. Like most laws, it is less than prefect. But until there is a fast flawless way of determining a feather was naturally molted and the law is amended, feathers must be left where they fall.

Not just eagle feathers are restricted. Most people are unaware that possession of the feathers of the vast majority of species of wild birds is illegal under the MBTA. If I am not mistaken, this law has its roots in protecting a type of egret or heron that was hunted to the edge of extinction for decorating ladies hats.

Does it impose a restriction on religious practice? Yes. But in my opinion, not as great a burden as land use and access issues that arise from the huge differences in fundamental religious worldviews between the New World and the Old.

[Muttly]

feathers

Woof!! thank you for a very well wrote and informative reply.... do you know if ravens and/or crows are on that list??

[Josiah]

One other point about the Eagle Permit
Once you apply for the permit and receive it
The permit is good for life
And more importantly to apply for an eagle or parts are free
The shipping to you is free


http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-15a.pdf

[Muttly]

feathers

woof!! i'm still in shock and awe at the obvious patience and fortitude required to acquire a feather (or more).... waiting up to 5 YEARS!! woof again!! it adds a whole nuther level of apprecation of the efforts put into regalia. i'd bet that most visitors to powwows have no clue of these requirements therefore inadaquate apprecation.....

[OLChemist]

Woof!! thank you for a very well wrote and informative reply.... do you know if ravens and/or crows are on that list??

Yes. Most indigenous bird species in North America are.

List of birds protected by the MBTA

[Fang]

Woof!! thank you for a very well wrote and informative reply.... do you know if ravens and/or crows are on that list??

Ravens and crows are on the list. You can look up all the protected birds here:http://www.pacificwildlife.org/info/.../fmbtalist.pdf

[Muttly]

feathers

whoops, dang!! ok, what is the right thing to do with this beautiful Raven feather that i picked up in my ignorance.... i already knew not to pick up all the Golden and Bald feathers around....

BTW, thank you for the info and links

[Chevy_truckin_NDN]

One other point about the Eagle Permit
Once you apply for the permit and receive it
The permit is good for life
And more importantly to apply for an eagle or parts are free
The shipping to you is free


http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-15a.pdf

Yes, this is true, I just got my life time permit....

[running_with_buffs]

theres also two places you can order non eagle feathers from one is sia ran by the commanche tribe in oklahoma and the other is liberty wildlife in az, they also can give you permits for the birds they give out. waterbirds,flickers, hawks etc. some of them you order like example waterbirds you could be waiting a long time. others like red tails maybe just a couple of weeks