An agent from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently went undercover at a powwow in Texas to investigate alleged violations of federal eagle protection laws.

The agent confiscated eagle feathers from powwow attendees who are members of unrecognized tribes, according to KRGV. But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that unrecognized Indians can possess feathers in a case involving a Chiricahua Apache man.

The unidentified agent spoke to the TV station and said he was sent to investigate people who are not members of recognized tribes.

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Eagle feathers confiscated (KRGV 3/30)

Relevant Links:
National Eagle Repository - http://www.r6.fws.gov/law/le65.html
Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act - http://laws.fws.gov/lawsdigest/baldegl.html

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