Great Blue Heron Feathers

[Stephen Rice]

If I found a feather. Is it okay to use it, If I found it?

[Willie Bodger]

Yeah, I'd like a definitie answer on this as well. I have 'heard' that it is illegal to even possess GBH feathers, anybody got more concrete info out there?

Willie

[wet line]

I have been told that they are just like eagle feathers, illegal to have in ones possession.

Dave

[Kent Lufkin]

I've heard the same thing as Dave.

However, another fishing friend's brother in MT 'found' a dead one and has all the feathers he can use, thus pointing out that it's one thing to be doing something illegal and another thing altogether to get caught doing it.

K

[FT]

There have been instances of people getting arrested by federal wildlife agents and charged with violating federal law at craft shows when they had items they were selling that had prohibited feathers in them, this includes fly tyers. Found heron is technically legal to use on flies for your own use; however, you better be able to prove you found it, something that is nearly impossible. It is also legal if you got it from a wildlife agent (i.e. like from a hatchery because it got caught in the netting, but you need to have a letter or note on letterhead saying who gave it to you, the date, why it died, and his signature), if you can prove it was acquired by someone prior to 1972 when the restriction on possessing it went into effect (this is very difficult unless you have a certified letter or a bill of sale authenticating when it was first acquired by someone), or if you bought it from someone in the UK because it is legal to import UK Heron feathers (but you better have the bill of sale to prove it).

To be perfectly honest, it is not worth the potential problems of having heron or using heron here in the US. The fine can be as high as $10,000.00 and you can also get up to 10 years in federal prison for having heron feathers in your possession, unless you can prove it was obtained legally through one of the ways I outlined above.

Also, remember that just because something is legal in Canada, it doesn't mean it is legal to buy it in Canada and bring it over the border into the US. Herter's got fined into bankruptcy back in 1981 because they go caught bringing a semi load of jungle cock necks over the border into Minnesota, so keep this in mind.

Blue-eared Pheasant is a very good substitute, although a little pricey, that doesn't expose you to arrest, fines, and federal jail time. Whiting Spey Hackle (whether necks or saddles) in heron grey is another very good substitute too. Personally, I'd never mess with heron, it just isn't worth the potential problems and I use either Blue-eared Pheasant (my favorite sub for heron) or Whiting Spey Hackle.

Kent,

And if a federal wildlife agent gets wind of him having the feathers from that heron without having the written statement that he was given the dead bird from a federal or state wildlife agent or hatchery worker, he can be fined $10,000 for each feather (unless he can prove they all came from the same bird), or fined $10,000.00 for having picked up the bird and not taking it to a state or federal wildlife agent and another $10,000.00 for having the feathers in his possession, and possibly 10 years in federal prison for both picking up the bird and having the feathers in his possession because it is a federal felony. It just isn't worth the risk.

[davpot]

I agree with the above, but I think you should get 20 years in prison and fined 25000$ just for looking at the feathers!
Where are our priorities??? Is this as serious a problem as say......Meth?
Laws need to get real!!!
Dave In Oregon :thumb:

[Stephen Rice]

iagree although I understand the reason for keeping the law. there is always someone out there who is willing to abuse it. as for one feather it's a little over the top. hmmm I should just turn it in to the WDFW ? ?

[wet line]

It seems over the top except they are a protected species. Where should the line be drawn and if used in a fly what's to say a Heron wasn't harvested for materials?

I wouldn't open a can of worms by turning in the feather. I would bury it in the bottom of the garbage or just take it out side and let it go in a stiff wind. Of course this is assuming you have one in hand but in that your question was what if, I assume you were only contemplating picking a feather up. ;)

Dave

[papafsh]

And if a federal wildlife agent gets wind of him having the feathers from that heron without having the written statement that he was given the dead bird from a federal or state wildlife agent or hatchery worker, he can be fined $10,000 for each feather (unless he can prove they all came from the same bird), or fined $10,000.00 for having picked up the bird and not taking it to a state or federal wildlife agent and another $10,000.00 for having the feathers in his possession, and possibly 10 years in federal prison for both picking up the bird and having the feathers in his possession because it is a federal felony. It just isn't worth the risk.

On the other hand you could rape and murder a child and only get a couple of years behind bars and no costly fines to pay either, then they would let you out to do it all over again.
But picking up a dead bird and tying flys with it's feathers, well now that's just unexceptable! :mad:

LB

[Scott Behn]

iagree

Maybe somebody should just rape the bird, and then dump the body so when you get out in a couple of years you can then use the feathers...

:rolleyes:

The laws we have still amaze me, how the above bird laws carry much heaftier penalties then the molestation of a child... :beathead:

[Willie Bodger]

So, does anybody else ever wait until the end of a conversation and then try to figure out where the conversation started (like on what topic)? It's kinda fun to do, like with this thread (and I'm not complaining, I just like to trace the route of a thread or conversation, it is often quite interesting). So, if somebody were to give me a GBH cape I guess I should say no thanks OR find a WDFW officer that likes to tie and share it with him/her... ;)

[FT]

Herons are federally protected species and since they are federally protected species, having a Heron skin, feathers, or neck is really no different than having a Bald Eagle skin, feathers, or neck. One is not less protected than the other. Does this mean people ought to go out and "find" a Bald Eagle skin, a Golden Eagle skin, an Owl skin, or a Condor skin and then use the feathers because they all have feathers which are very useful and is some cases the original, specified feather for a fly or fly type? I certainly hope not.

Regarding rapist and child molesters, these are crimes that are prosecuted and punished under state laws, not federal laws. Therefore, our state legislators need to get the backbone to pass stiffer penalties for rapists and child molesters that keep them locked up longer. Personally, I'd like to see them locked up with a mandatory minimum 25 year penalty, which must be served without parole or being reduced by a judge. But again, we need to get our state legislators to do this.

[papafsh]

Personally, I'd like to see them locked up with a mandatory minimum 25 year penalty, which must be served without parole or being reduced by a judge. But again, we need to get our state legislators to do this.
Personally, I'd like to see them shot!

LB

[YAKIMA]

I wouldn't think of it with the potential consequences.. Commonly called a "go to jail fly"...