Question: How can I obtain eagle feathers or parts?

Answer:

For hundreds of years, Native Americans have used eagle feathers for religious and cultural purposes, including healing, marriage, and naming ceremonies. However, in order to protect eagles, the United States Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940; the Act was amended in 1962 to include protection for golden eagles. The Bald Eagle Protection Act prohibits the take, transport, sale, barter, trade, import and export, and possession of eagles, making it illegal for anyone to collect eagles and eagle parts without a permit.

In recognition of the significance of eagle feathers to Native Americans, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) established the National Eagle Repository to provide Native Americans with the feathers of golden and bald eagles needed for ceremonial purposes. Permits to obtain eagles or eagle parts are issued by the FWS. Only enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe can obtain a permit. The permit authorizes the recipient to receive and possess eagle feathers from the Repository for religious purposes. The following must be presented when applying for an eagle possession permit:

* A completed application obtained from your nearest FWS Regional Office
* Certification of tribal enrollment from the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Due to the large demand and limited supply, each applicant can apply for only one whole eagle or specific parts equivalent to one bird (i.e., two wings, one tail, two talons) at a time. Once your request has been filled, you may reapply to receive another eagle. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently, there are over 4,000 people on the waiting list for approximately 900 eagles the Repository receives each year. Applicants can expect to wait approximately 2 and one half years for an order to be filled.

Feathers or parts of bald or golden eagles and other migratory birds may NOT be sold, purchased, bartered or traded. They may, however, be handed down to family members from generation to generation, or from one Native American to another for religious purposes. Native Americans may NOT give eagle feathers or parts to non-Native Americans as a gift.

Federal laws prohibit the import and export of eagle feathers. Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, however, may obtain eagle transport permits that authorize them to travel outside of the United States with eagle items used for religious purposes.

From here.

Found on the US firstgov.gov website from a search in the FAQ section for “import vehicle”.

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