12.6.1134    DISPOSITION OF CARCASSES OF FALCONRY BIRDS THAT DIE

(1) The carcass of a golden eagle held for falconry, including all feathers, talons, and other parts must be sent to the National Eagle Repository.

(2) The body or feathers of any other species of falconry raptor may be donated to any person or institution exempt under 50 C.F.R. 21.12 or authorized by permit to acquire and possess such parts or feathers.

(3) If a falconry bird was banded or microchipped prior to its death, a permittee who possessed the bird may keep the body of any falconry raptor except that of a golden eagle. The permittee may keep the body so that the feathers are available for imping or may have the body mounted by a taxidermist. The permittee may use the mount in giving conservation education programs. If the bird was banded, the band must be left on the body. If the bird has an implanted microchip, the microchip must be left in place.

(4) If a permittee does not wish to donate or keep the body or feathers, the body must be burned, buried, or otherwise destroyed within ten days of the death of the bird or after final examination by a veterinarian to determine cause of death. Carcasses of euthanized raptors could pose a risk of secondary poisoning of eagles and other scavengers. Appropriate precautions must be taken to avoid such poisonings.

(5) If a permittee does not donate the bird body or feathers or have the body mounted by a taxidermist, the flight feathers may be possessed from the bird for as long as the permittee has a valid falconry permit. The permittee may not buy, sell, or barter the feathers and must keep the paperwork documenting acquisition of the bird.

History: 87-5-204, MCA; IMP, 87-5-204; NEW, 2009 MAR p. 1470, Eff. 8/28/09.