Question? What is the Grandfathers Clause? I am not new at Taxidermy, but I think I made a mistake years ago. Back before hawks and owls were protected, I think around 1974, I mounted quite a few. About 1979 the State Game Warden told me to burn them, I could not keep them anymore. Naturally I burned them. Some place I read there is a Grandfathers clause that you can have owls if they were mounted before they became protected. When I received my Taxidermist license it states you may not have any birds or parts if they are protected. Can anyone help me with the Grandfathers clause? Thanks!
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Hawks and Owls were protected Long, LONG Before 1970. lucky you had a nice game warden.
Yes, I guess I am lucky, But I really think that they became protected in 1973. Go to http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esaall.pdf
According to this they became protected in 1973. Maybe I am wrong, I darn sure have been wrong before, lots of times. The Game Warden back then was a super nice guy.
The problem here is people read things on a web site, and take it as gospel or they only half read it. Or do not understand it. Supplemental Inclusions, are intended to bolster an Existing Law. because they were incorporated on a certain date, does not mean earlier laws did not exist. If we were to pass a law making it automatic execution for killing ones spouse today. Does that mean before today it was not illegal to kill ones spouse?
The migratory Bird act was signed By the United States and Great Britain (On behalf of Canada) in 1918 the treaty Offered Protection for all Migratory Birds. Seasons were established to ensure continued populations. Birds were Designated into 3 species Game Birds. Insectivorous Birds. And Non-Game birds. The two later of the had a continually closed season. Meaning only game birds were given open hinting seasons. And those were not to exceed three and a half months. Birds of pray were placed in the non-game Designation in 1958. In 1936 Mexico Signed the treaties, and Japan In 1972. In 1986 USSR signed in. Now if you will go to the migratory bird list http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtintro.html You will see under hawks it contains Asiatis Sparrow, Broad winged, Coopers, Ferruginous, Grey, Harris, Hawian, Red shouldered, red tailed, Rough Legged, Sharpshined, Short tailed, Swainsons, whitetailed, zone tailed.
Under Owl It lists Barn, Barred, Boreal, Burrowing Elf, Flammulated Great grey, Great Horned, Hawk, Long Eared, Northern Saw-whet, Short eared, spoted, black.
These birds have always been Migratory. And since 1958 they have been considered Non-game. Meaning there has been no Open season since 1957.
Now what owls, and hawks that are not on these list did you mount in the 70s
Tenbears, Thank you. I know you went to a lot of trouble for me on this issue and I appreciate it. I have never had it explained this way. Now I know the real facts! have a great day.