Can Native Americans collect their own feathers?
No. As a result of years of habitat loss, poaching, and market hunting, populations of some migratory birds declined. In an effort to protect these birds, the United States Congress passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918. This Act prohibits the take, possession, transport, sale, purchase, barter (or offer for sale, purchase, or barter), trade, import and export of any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to Federal regulations. For a list of migratory birds protected by the Act, go to: Migratory Birds Regulations and Policies Why are these non-eagle repositories necessary? U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) permits are not typically issued for the take of migratory birds, excluding the hunting of migratory game birds, during times of depredation, or human safety. Native Americans are not exempt from the permitting process. However, the FWS acknowledges the legitimate needs of tribal members to lawfu
