Using wildlife parts in your craft


Disclaimer: This page is not a complete representation of any law, nor does it claim to explain any law to the fullest extent. It is intended to bring the issue of wildlife laws to your attention, not to give sound legal advice.

You need to fully inform yourself about the use of feathers, nests, antlers, furs, hooves, and other wildlife parts if you plan to use them in your craft.

Please read
Use of Wildlife in Arts and Crafts:
An Overview of Federal Laws and Regulations
,
published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Use of wildlife parts is controlled by federal and state governments. Extreme care must be taken when using wildlife parts in crafts, as the laws are many and varied, and do not allow ignorance as an excuse.

This page is provided as a public service by The Pine Needle Group, and is not an official document!

Quick Links to this page:

Using Bird Parts
Using Antlers and other animal parts
When you think you know the law



Bird Parts:

Birds are covered by Federal laws, and in the case of game birds, state laws also play a principal part. There are many things to take into account, if you are using feathers from ANY bird. Domestic chickens, and other fowl raised for food, such as guinea fowl, are generally safe. Turkey feathers, because they could come from either domestic or wild birds, are more chancey.

Usually, feathers legally taken in your state from a game bird (one that you hunted in full accordance with all laws, including any licenses, fees, stamps, bag limits, and other restrictions) may be displayed by you within your home. However, they may not be sold. Sometimes they may be given.

Do not think if you embellish a basket with feathers, and say "I am selling the basket, but giving the feathers away", that you are legal. Word games will not help you if you are charged. If in doubt, DON'T USE THEM, GIVE THEM OR SELL THEM.

Simple possession of any part of a migratory bird is regulated by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Most birds are covered by this act, including songbirds and birds of prey. This includes birds like vultures and sparrows. It also applies to feathers, eggs, or nests which are found lying in your yard. You only have to have them in your possession, no one has to prove that you hurt the bird for you to be in violation of this FEDERAL law. Other laws which protect birds include the Bald and Golden Eagle Acts. All of these acts carry heavy penalties, including big fines and even FELONY status. Read: Jail time.

Registered Native Americans may SOMETIMES legally possess feathers covered by these laws, through religious waivers written into the law. But these waivers do not extend to sharing, giving, or selling the feathers or bird parts to non-registered natives.

For additional information, try these links:

Use of Wildlife in Arts and Crafts: An Overview of Federal Laws and Regulations If you are going to use ANY animal parts in your crafts, this is the ONE LINK on this page you need to visit. Read it!

List of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
A Guide to the Laws and Treaties of the United States for Protecting Migratory Birds
    Lists the bird related laws, with links to explainations of each.
USFWS Act Summaries
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act(MBTA)
Another copy of the MBTA
Summary of the MBTA law an attempt at putting it in regular language
Another summary of MBTA

Antlers, hooves, hides, and other animal parts

Antler use is generally controlled by the individual state. These laws vary widely. To obtain reliable information about whether your state allows use of antlers, you must contact your local wildlife office. Here is a list of some state wildlife offices, provided by the Shed Antlers Association online. This list is not all-inclusive, and just because your state is not shown, does not mean you do not have wildlife laws! Also, do not depend upon the interpretations provided on this page to properly guide you. You should confirm them with your state wildlife office. Look in your phone book, or call the local gun store, or where a hunting license would be sold (Wal-Mart!), and ask for the wildlife commission phone number.

When you know it is legal in your state, or for you...

it is not necessarily true for someone in another state! Purchasing and trading feathers, or other wildlife parts across state lines leaves all individuals involved open to prosecution under the Lacey Act, a federal law which contains severe FELONY penalties.

SOOO...please do not make an antler basket and send it to me through the mail...if it turns out to be illegal in either of the states we live in, we are both liable for prosecution. Thanks!

For additional information, try these links:

Lacey Act overview
Amendments to Lacey Act
Here is a link to the US Fish and Wildlife's page on their Division of Law Enforcement. These are the people who enforce federal wildlife laws.

If you want to go straight to the source, for up to the minute information, on Federal Wildlife Laws, try The US Fish and Wildlife's Division of Congressional and Legislative Affairs

For a look at some strange state laws, check out State Wildlife Laws Handbook, and State and Federal Wildlife Laws & Regulations of the United States


Please read Use of Wildlife in Arts and Crafts: An Overview of Federal Laws and Regulations, published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


Use of wildlife parts is controlled by federal and state governments. Extreme care must be taken when using wildlife parts in crafts, as the laws are many and varied, and do not allow ignorance as an excuse.

This page is provided as a public service by The Pine Needle Group, and is not an official document! Thanks for reading it. Any suggestions about this page, please contact the webmaster