I appreciate all the input I rec'd on the color to use on a ruff-legged hawk eyes. The debate was interesting and informational. NOW I need to find some reference. Any help is great! BTW....yes, I do have the permit from the warden...it's going on public display at a local environmental center.
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If you live in the USA, you better have the warden get you a Federal permit. Many Wardens dont know the laws.
Is the environmental center a government agency? if it is you will be able to get the permit easy. Government agency, school, or museum, is the only place that can legally have a bird of prey anymore unless you have proof that it was taken before they became protected. One other question is how did you obtain this bird without a federal permit? Someone at some point had to have some sort of "Federal" permit just to posses this bird.
You cant even legally touch a road killed bird without a permit in hand. Once you pick it up it is in your possesion, and you can get nailed. It seems like a stupid law but it is a law.
For starters you can try google's search images. There are a lot of photos of ruffs to be seen. Also, if you find your original post there were some links attached to some of the replies. (It will be saved in the archives.)
They still need to apply for and receive the salvage/collectors permit in advance, and put you on it for that job. Never just assume (in case you are, that is)
you most likely need two and possibly three permits/licenses. You must have a federal license license yourself and a state license (if your state requires you to have one). Game wardens (you did not state whether it was local or federal) do not have the personal authority to issue the licenses required to handle the hawk. For you to legally have the bird in your possesion you need a federal license and the license of the agency who provided you the bird. Their licenses must state that they are authorized to collect and posses the bird. You need to have both licenses with the specimen. I was asked to do an osprey and a red tailed hawk for the Audubon Society. One of its members found the birds under a power line and had them in their trunk. They said they had the necessary licenses. I required them to produce them and to their amazement the licenses had been expired for three years. When they got the licenses I did the birds and all was fine, but the birds did not enter my shop without the licenses. Each agency/museum/school, including the government must provide you with a copy of their license each time you do a bird. I would not give one inch on this as there is far too much to loose. I hope it works out for you as the bird is truly beautiful. Good luck
Tlc: I live in Canada and with a permit we can have in our possesion
birds of prey. I have a lady from New York contact me from me web site asking to have a falcon mounted.I contacted U.S.fish&wildlife and they drove 125 miles to pick the falcon up.I also asked the agent if their is any posibility of obtaining a permit.It is posible only for study,museaum,BUT CAN ONLY BE ISSUED BY u.s. fish & wildlife
Do not take that chance if a state warden was to issue you a permit it would not hold in court,it's a federal issue not state.
Always get names numbers and your conversation on paper and signed by the officer.