R657-20-29. Use of Feathers and Carcasses.

(1) Feathers that a falconry bird or birds molt may be used for imping.

(a) Flight feathers for each species of raptor currently in possession or previously held may be kept for imping for as long as needed by a falconer with a valid falconry COR.

(i) Feathers for imping purposes may be received from or provided to other licensed falconers, wildlife rehabilitators, or propagators in the United states.

(ii) Licensed falconers may not buy, sell, or barter molted raptor feathers.

(b) Molted feathers from a falconry bird, except golden eagle feathers, may be donated to any person or institution with a valid permit for possession.

(c) Except for primary or secondary wing feathers or rectrix (tail) feathers from a golden eagle, a falconer is not required to gather feathers that are molted or otherwise lost by a falconry bird held under a valid COR.

(i) Molted feathers may be left where they fall, stored for imping, or destroyed.

(ii) A licensed falconer possessing a golden eagle must collect any molted flight feathers and rectrices.

(iii) Collected golden eagle feathers that are not to be retained for imping must be sent to the National Eagle Repository at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Eagle Repository, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Building 128, Commerce City, Colorado 80022 (303-287-2110).

(d) Once a falconry COR expires and is not renewed or is revoked, the falconer must donate molted feathers of any species of falconry raptor to any person or institution authorized by permit to acquire and possess the feathers.

(i) Molted feathers that are not donated must be burned, buried, or otherwise destroyed.

(2) Disposition of carcasses of falconry birds that die.

(a) The entire carcass of a golden eagle held for falconry that dies, including all feathers, talons, and other parts, must be sent to the National Eagle Repository at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Eagle Repository, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Building 128, Commerce City, Colorado 80022 (303-287-2110).

(b) The body or feathers of any other species of falconry raptor may be donated to any person or institution authorized by permit to acquire and possess raptor parts or raptor feathers.

(c) A falconry raptor, except a golden eagle, that was either banded or micro chipped prior to its death may be retained by the licensed falconer.

(i) The body of the raptor may be kept so that the feathers are available for imping, or the body may be mounted by a taxidermist.

(A) The mounted raptor may be used in conservation education programs.

(B) If the falconry raptor was banded, the band must be left in place on the mounted raptor body.

(C) If the falconry raptor has an implanted microchip, the microchip must be left in place on the mounted raptor body.

(d) The body and feathers of a deceased falconry raptor that are not donated or retained must be burned, buried, or otherwise destroyed within 10 calendar days of the death of the bird or after final examination by a veterinarian to determine cause of death.

(e) A licensed falconer that does not wish to donate or destroy the flight feathers of a deceased raptor or have the body mounted by a taxidermist, may possess the flight feathers for as long as they possess a valid falconry COR, provided:

(i) The feathers are not be bought, sold, or bartered; and

(ii) The paperwork documenting lawful possession of the deceased raptor is retained.