Will there be a hunting season for Bald Eagles?
by admin on Monday, August 16th, 2010 | 21 Comments
I read in "American Gun and Hunter" magazine that the Bald Eagle population is now at 10,000, and that when it gets to 15,000 (est. 5-7 years) that there is a proposal to make available 1000 tags, by lottery, for the eagles. The states with the highest eagle populations would be allocated the most tags. Hunters would be allowed to hunt with center-fire rifles, shotguns, or archery equipment. The article pointed out that this would make it legal for any American to possess eagle feathers. As it stands now only American Indians can possess eagle feathers. Many hunters think that a Bald Eagle would make a beautiful trophy, but many disagree.
Sites You May Find Helpful
- The Verreaux’s Eagle – an interview with Dr Rob Davies
- Experience the Thrill of Eagle Watching » Park, Arkansas, State, Interpreter, Eagles, Resort » All About Life
- Soar Like and Eagle « DrReese's Blog
Yes there will. I subscribe to "American Gun and Hunter" and read the same article. There is already a waiting list but I’ve submitted my name and am eagerly anticipating the hunt. I plan to use a rifle and can only hope I don’t blow the eagle’s head off because I plan to mount it in my den. I’m avid hunter and have been privileged enough to hunt Snow Leopards, California Condors and pandas. I have had them stuffed and they are now displayed around my house. On a side note, I’m having trouble finding a place for my latest catch, a humpback whale. And by the way, just some information for eyecandykustoms, you don’t go to jail for picking a poppy. You can be fined for picking, destroying, or digging up a California poppy though.
Mr.Kennedy Kennedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe, but they just don’t taste as good as spotted owl or California condor.
Bada-bing, bada-boom
They just got off the endangered species list, and you want to start killing them already?
Its no wonder humankind is in deep trouble!!!
Mr Cheney? Is that you?
Nothing like having the American symbol, dead in your house…
no.
Why are humans so obsessed with killing other species? People were getting along just fine with the ban on hunting bald eagles. Why start now? What is the purpose? So we can hunt them down to near extinction again? They just got off the endangered species list for crying out loud!
I dont believe in trophy hunting. If it’s not tasty, and you’re not going to eat it, then don’t hunt it. Usually it’s children that need this concept explained to them, but in this case it’s those zany americans! Unbelieveable…
The bald eagle is the emblem of the US so no matter what, I don’t think people will ever be allowed to hunt it. Besides the Endangered Species Act, there is also the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940.
I don’t think so. I have nothing but logic to found my answer off of, but I think it’s accurate.
In the state of Georgia, the Brown Thrasher is the state bird. It’s illegal to hunt this bird for any reason. It’s not on any endangered list, it’s just protected since it’s the state bird.
I suspect that hunting the Bald Eagle will be the same in the U.S. I don’t even think you can hunt any other types of eagles either.
I hope I don’t live to see the day that you can hunt our national bird!
No they still will be on the do not kill list
NO*…
You MONSTER. what is your problem that is our national symbol and you want to kill it?? sounds like somebody is mental. and it is on the endangered list and i don’t think that they are going to let anyone hunt them for a loooooooooong time!!!! And why would you want to kill a defenseless animal when they didn’t do anything to you…all of that for a trophy??? That is sad and evil. Gosh you are just awful
Us Americans are above the 300 million population. Can we start hunting ourselves once we make 350? Look, I am an avid hunter, but this is ridiculous. No one I know will EVER eat an eagle and I know people who eat roadkill!!!!! Some things need to be left alone.
no
Nope, False. You’ve already asked this question.
Large birds of prey are protected by federal law. Even if they aren’t on an endangered list you still cant shoot hawks, owls, or eagles.
Interestingly, there is no magazine called "American Gun and Hunter", closes one is "American Hunter" which never ran an article like you’re suggesting. So my guess is you’re trolling for doobs. Looks like you hooked a few, hope you’re satisfied.
But in answer to your hypothetical question, while it’s doubtful open season will ever be declared on the bald eagle, like any species, once it becomes so numerous it begins to conflict with humans, people will probably employ the "shoot, shovel, and shut up" method of dealing with what they think is a nuisance, while only fools are going to try and make it a trophy.
I think a bald hunter that shoots an eagle would make a beautiful trophy.
What kind of loser shoots the symbol of America?
Won’t happen anytime soon. Here are several reasons.
1) There are getting to be a lot of them, so they’re being taken off the Endangered Species List, and rightfully so. But they’ll automatically roll over to a Protected Species. They’ll still be legally protected.
2) For non-game birds, it is actually a federal offense since the late 1800′s for keeping feathers, nests, stuffed birds, etc. This law is mostly unknown by the general public, but it is still in force, even though I have never known it to be enforced. It came about as the result of hunting birds for hat plumages over a century ago, and the times have changed, but the law is actually still in effect.
3) It will be a very long time until their numbers get high enough to be a game species, and even then I don’t think any predator bird has ever been a legal game species. Their population densities, because they are predators, are just not high enough.
4) Americans would never allow it even if the population got as high as pigeons and they were crapping everywhere.
The article was probably written as incendiary fodder as much as anything else. It’s a bit ridiculous.
Nah, there won’t be a season on them. Only because it is the "American bird", and I agree, thats the way it should be, but can you give me the "best answer", as I need the points…..Thanks!
there is no way it would ever be legal to shoot a bald eagle. in ca you can go to jail for picking a poppy flower because it is the state flower, so if you cant pick the flowers there is no way you can shoot the eagles.