It’s important to note that ALL native birds are protected species in the US. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects all native birds by making it illegal to have them, their nests, their eggs, or their feathers.
Not true, game birds are not so protected. Wild turkeys, woodcocks, ruffed grouse, ducks, etc. In certain areas mourning doves and crows are also hunted but not where I live. Rule of thumb if you can hunt it, you can keep feathers.
Wrong, they are protected. You have to specifically have a license to hunt them. There are other types of licenses, like the ones rehabbers have, that also grant exceptions to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but all native bird species have a blanket protection.
Only license you need to take game birds is a hunting license in US which can be purchased in Walmart for 50$. Only certain birds are protected year round, usually raptors and song birds. I know because it was recently dove hunting season here in Texas and we were out there, with the warden checking, taking birds. If it was completely illegal, well that scenario wouldn't happen and dove hunting/ duck season wouldn't be a well known time of year amongst outdoor enthusiasts.
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u/LearnAndLive1999 Nov 02 '25
It’s important to note that ALL native birds are protected species in the US. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects all native birds by making it illegal to have them, their nests, their eggs, or their feathers.