Q: I have found a dead eagle. May I keep the feathers?

A: Probably not. Just two eagle species are native to the United States, and both are protected.

U.S. lawmakers first restricted people’s access to the national bird – including all of its parts -- with The Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940. Congress then amended that act in 1962 to include the golden eagle, too.

Legally, no one can possess any U.S. bald eagle parts gathered after 1940 or own any golden eagle parts collected after 1962. No one can take, import, export, transport, barter for, buy, trade for, or sell those parts, either … unless, that is, the person has a permit.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in charge of issuing such permits. It generally limits permit holders to members of federally recognized Native American tribes who use them in religious ceremonies.

Even if you’re a member of a recognized tribe, your odds for getting one would take time you don’t have, given that you’ve already found the feathers. The typical waiting list for a permit is about 4,000 applicants long.

Over the years, several groups have legally challenged this policy, but it remains strictly enforced. The current punishments include both fines and jail time.

That being the case, you should report any dead eagles you see to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or its state equivalent.

Source: Charlie Lee, wildlife specialist, K-State Research and Extension

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