Date: 2/8/13 1:00 pm
From: <kmlathroum...>
Subject: Re: Re: [MDBirding] Re: Where to take fresh specimens?


Tim and all as the saying goes possession is 9/10 of the law. Yes it is illegal by strictest interpretation without a permit by both State and Federal laws to possess migratory birds or their parts, this includes the feathers which I have often seen in vehicles which everyone picks up off of the ground. The State Law applies to all wild birds except European Starling and English Sparrow. That being said officer's do have discretion and are not required to write a warning or citation. You have to look at the totality of the circumstances, intent etc. I have run into this many times in my career we often get someone who shows up with a roadkilled whatever species it might be, or we get called for a window strike, calls requesting tags in order to take whatver t might be to a taxidermist etc. Some of the parks and other units of DNR may be interested in the specimen depending on what it is. I believe Frostburg State University is still permitted to accept birds for their study collection. If someone is in the habit of picking alot of such birds it would certainly be advisable to try and make contact with such an organization and see if you could be listed as a volunteer under their permit, have a copy of their permit in your possession while participating in such an activity etc. Hope this helps, Mike


On 02/08/13, Tim Carney wrote:

Thanks for the heads-up, everyone. I received a lot of responses about this! Apparently it's illegal (per the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act) to possess a dead bird even briefly and with the intent of transporting it to a certified facility. I thought it was illegal to keep a bird (dead or alive) permanently in one's own possession without a permit, but apparently it's even stricter than that.

Good to know!

Thanks again,
Tim Carney
Baltimore/Anne Arundel

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