Submitted by Stephanie on 9/20/99. ( CatMeili @ aol.com ) 205.188.209.38
Hi. Need advice on how to pluck hawk feathers without damaging them. I am absolutely non-experienced and lost, without a clue. It is a swainson's hawk which became electrocuted; the body had begun to decompose and is now in my freezer. It had been dead about 4 days when we retrieved it. All my reference books use methods which would damage the feathers. Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.
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This response submitted by John C on 9/20/99. ( ) 204.180.103.98
WHY??? are you plucking the feathers from a dead Hawk? A bird killed in this manner is sad, but the feathers according to most Native AMERICAN traditions cannot be used in ceremony. You still need a permit from the U.S.F&W.
This response submitted by John C on 9/20/99. ( ) 204.180.103.59
For cermonial purpose, the feathers must be shed by the bird or plucked from a live bird. I had the chance to watch a Souix friend pluck a eagles feather for his passage to manhood. JC
This response submitted by Stephanie on 9/21/99. ( CatMeili@aol.com ) 205.188.209.105
Hello, John. Thank you for this information. I didn't know about the permit so I shall contact the appropriate folk. Just as a point of opinion, NA's often use the feathers of dead birds for ceremonial purposes...that's why the federal Eagle Repository is so important. Furthermore, to use the feathers of a dead bird ceremonially is to honor it, to dance and/or sing its soul back to Great Spirit, and give purpose to the loss of its valuable life. This, too, is the Lakota way and has nothing to do with rites of passage. It is a matter of respect and belief. Thanks again for your time and your information John. P.S..... As a result of this death, which we brought to the attention of state and federal authorities, the local Power Company has readily agreed to cover all exposed transformers in the area, thus protecting the numerous hawks, golden and bald eagles which live there. -Steph
This response submitted by c on 10/6/99. ( ) 152.163.188.227
just grab the feather by the base and yank sharply it should come out easely
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