Not-so-friendly reminder for US vultures that collecting parts of endangered species can net you fines of up to $10,500, and unless you have special permits, possessing any parts of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (especially birds of prey) is a felony and common violations can get you fined up to $15,000 with six months imprisonment. Selling parts can get you fines of up to $500,000 and two years imprisonment. 

“I didn’t know” or “I think it’s dumb” isn’t going to fly in court when the FWS caught you selling owl feathers on tungler dot com. Obviously these fines are for the more severe cases and if the DNR finds out you have a bluejay feather because you thought it was pretty you’re probably just going to get a slap on the wrist and a “hey kiddo don’t pick those things up” lecture or a small fine. Feds monitor Facebook groups and other sites to make sure that no one has anything illegal, so before you post about how Hot New Find™ make sure it’s actually legal for you to have. Google is free and easy to use. The cops aren’t going to come and shoot you because called the DNR and asked them if something’s legal for you to have. Some people’s lives literally revolve around this community and they rely on taxidermy, skulls, etc to pay their bills and feed their family. They don’t need edgy teenagers on the internet posting about the dead owl they found and decided to stuff in their freezer. Accidents happen and that’s totally okay! Before I got into Vulture Culture I had tons of things that I shouldn’t have had, but I learned about the laws and I got rid of them instead of acting like I was somehow above the law and that I could do whatever I wanted.

Stop making our community look like some sort of shady, illegal trash heap. People look down on collectors enough as it is, we don’t need shady people ruining it for the rest of us.