Yes, it is actually and completely illegal to kill a bald eagle right here in the United States. Not a lot of people really know this, but the Bald Eagle is a national symbol of the United States, which is precisely why there is an actual federal law that exists and protects these birds. Up until this point, if you didn’t know about any such law, then we’d advise you to just keep on reading and be pretty certain that killing a bald eagle can land you in some serious legal trouble.
What Law Protects Bald Eagles?
Well, you’ve got to know that back in 1940, a law called the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) was created. The intent of the law is very clear: to protect those bald and golden eagles from being hurt. It is prohibited to kill, trap, trade, or even have the share of an eagle, a feather, or any other part of a bird without a permit issued by the U. S. government, according to this law.
The legislation refers to the word “take” in a way that mainly indicates any kind of treatment resulting in the harming of the eagle. Along with these, if the animal is shot, poisoned, chased, or even if its nest or eggs are disturbed, these are included in the list. Therefore, in case your acts bring about any kind of trouble to an eagle or its habitat, you are considered to be in violation of the federal law.
What about the penalty? Pretty major. For a first-time offense, it may result in a fine not exceeding $100,000 and a year of imprisonment. The second time, the situation is worsened to a felony with the fine amount raised to $250,000 and the jail term up to two years. Besides, a company can pay a fine up to $500,000. This is the extent of the seriousness with which the US is protecting its national bird.
Other Laws That Protect Eagles
It is not only the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act that helps eagles. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act also protects eagles by making it illegal to kill, capture, or sell eagles or their eggs. In addition, the Lacey Act forbids the trading or carrying of the eagle’s parts that were taken in an illegal manner.
These regulations, combined, make sure that the iconic birds of the USA are safe everywhere in the country. It is illegal to kill, possess, or even collect a feather without an authorized permit.
Real Cases That Show How Serious This Is
To understand how strict these laws are, here are a few real examples.
In Nebraska, after a bald eagle was shot and killed, the two men were identified and apprehended. That’s a real case right there! They claimed that they had mistaken the bird for a vulture and that they were going to make it for dinner. The lie, however, did not save them. They were indicted for the unlawful possession of a bald eagle, and it was stated that they would also face charges at the federal level. The law enforcement officers warned that the verdict “I didn’t know” would not be accepted as an excuse.
So a 17-year-old in Texas has confessed that he shot a bald eagle many times. He was not indicted under the federal law, just for the case of illegal hunting on private land. However, the fact remains that the eagle is the national symbol of the US, and killing one is against the law everywhere in the country; this incident simply demonstrates that the law sometimes deals with minors in a different way.
