Section 232-30-570. Feathers molted by falconry raptors.

(1) A falconer may possess feathers for each species of raptor authorized to be possessed for as long as the falconer has a valid falconry permit. Falconers may receive feathers of any species authorized to be possessed from other permitted falconers, wildlife rehabilitators, propagators, or other authorized entities in the United States. Feathers may be exchanged with those entities. Raptor feathers and all feathers of other state and federally protected raptors shall not be bought, sold, bartered, or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

(2) A falconer may donate feathers from a falconry raptor, except golden eagle feathers, to any person or institution with a valid permit to possess them, or to anyone exempt from a permit requirement for feather possession.

(3) Except for primary or secondary flight feathers or retrices from a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the falconer is not required to gather feathers that are molted or otherwise lost by a falconry raptor. A falconer may leave the feathers where they fall, store them, or destroy them.

(4) A falconer must collect molted flight feathers and retrices from a golden eagle. If the falconer chooses not to keep them for imping, golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) feathers must be sent to the National Eagle Repository.

(5) Send all other feathers (including body feathers) collected from any falconry golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), that are not needed for imping, to the National Eagle Repository.

(6) Any feathers of falconry raptors in the possession of a falconer, except golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) feathers, whose permit is expired, suspended, or revoked must be donated to any person or any institution exempt from the permit requirement or authorized by permit to acquire and possess the feathers. If the feathers are not donated, they must be burned, buried, or otherwise destroyed.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.210, and C.F.R. Title 50, Part 21, Subpart C, Section 21.29; Migratory Bird Treaty Act. WSR 10-18-012 (Order 10-214), § 232-30-570, filed 8/20/10, effective 9/20/10.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.210, and C.F.R. Title 50, Part 21, Subpart C, Section 21.29; Migratory Bird Treaty Act. WSR 10-18-012 (Order 10-214), § 232-30-570, filed 8/20/10, effective 9/20/10.