What do I do with Illegal Bird Feathers?

Question

I went on a beautiful outing to a wildlife refuge with my boys. I thought I was teaching them how important it is to preserve nature, appreciate wildlife and the natural beauty we have around us. They found 2 beautiful large feathers on the ground and took them home. My 4 y.o. was so proud to show Daddy. I thought I could use them as an educational aid and look on the internet to find out what kind of bird it came from. Unfortunately, I've just learned that it is illegal to have these in our possession. What do I do with them now? I would like to call the Park Authority or talk to a Park Ranger so that maybe they can put them to educational use in park programs, but I am afraid if I "fess-up" I'll get a heavy fine instead of a thank-you.

Answer 1

I wouldn't worry about it. You didn't know you were doing anything wrong when you took them home. Just explain the situation to your boys so they know not to take them in the future. If you feel really bad about it, you can pitch them, but it seems like a waste. I wouldn't fess up either, for the reason you stated.

Answer 2

Almost any National Park or DNR official would be pleased to have you return the feathers to refuge area where you found them.  This was an honest mistake.  I briefly spent some time with the DNR out in Washington State.  Two of the officers I worked with would often call area tribes to gather Eagle feathers when we found them on non-protected grounds.  Native Americans are allowed to posses feathers from endangered birds, provided they are not gathered via harming or killing the bird.

This leads to a second option you might have.  I there is a tribal group nearby you can turn the feathers over to them and allow them to decide how they will be used -- turned over to the park or used in ancient tribal ceremonies are both respected outcomes.

Answer 3

Hello, if you bring back the feathers you won`t get instigated unless you have had them for a while, rangers go on patrols in reserves to see there are no mister meaners if you see a ranger explain your reason why the feathers have been taken and take your family with you, the reason for this there are recorders and if they saw feathers the day before and then gone the next they`ll be on alert for poaching, you never know he/she might let you keep it. but just do it on the safe side

Answer 4

I think you can turn them in without getting a fine..you can just explain that you did not know it was illegal.  They may just tell you to return them to where you  found them.  In the future..you should carry a field guide with photos of feathers with you, so that you and your boys can identify who the feather belongs to while out there and you will not have to collect them to do so.  You can also try and sketch the feathers as well.  A good book that has photos of many bird species feathers is "Bird Tracks and Sign" by Elbroch.

Answer 5

Burn them.

Confessing crimes is rarely a good idea.

Answer 6

**1.  You didn't kill the raptor (did you?).

2.  The law is in place to discourage wholesale massacre to collect feathers.

3.  If you call them, they COULD throw the book at you (just because they can).

4.  The least they'd do is confiscate the feathers and throw them out - not quite how you or I would honor the original possessor.

I have a couple hawk feathers on a rawhide strip decorating the brim of one of my Stetsons - to me, an honorable tribute.