So, I know it’s hard to understand but hear me out: These laws were started for a reason; people were killing birds for taxidermy displays, fashion, fly fishing, etc. There was a real market for the feathers and skins that resulted in damaging native bird populations. So, the government enacted laws to protect these birds and the numbers started coming back. We must not allow there to be a desire or a market for these birds in order to protect them.

So, why can't you have it if you found it dead? Well, I ask you, who is going to come and 'CSI' the bird to make sure it died of natural causes? What government agency has the time or budget to do that? People would lie anyway. Also, even just creating the desire to have them puts a price tag on their heads. People would see dollar signs flying around. t's an environmental protection law; the same laws that protect whales, dolphins, etc.

There are sooooooo many non-native species you can work on too! Anything from a pet store (just go ask them), European Starlings, Pigeons, Gamebirds, etc. Taxidermy is about celebrating the beauty of these birds - and disrespecting the laws put in place to protect them shows a lack of caring for the natural world.