Eagle photography

Life is Wild · 02-12-2014, 11:41 AM

Is it illegal and/or unethical to put a dead fish on the ice to attract an eagle for photography?

If it is legal, and if it is a one-time, one-fish only event, so an eagle passing by just gets lucky but the location doesn't become a feeding station, is it unethical?

Generally, I am in the camp that feeding wildlife is not a good idea, but the bald eagles' scavenging and piracy tendencies raise the question. If fishermen discard fish remains which are eaten by eagles (I saw three eagles tussling over various fish carcasses near bob houses during the fishing derby) while Fish and Game officers are out and about, then, is it less frowned upon than I am imagining?

Any advice?

Pineedles · 02-12-2014, 12:12 PM

Despite being our Nation's symbol, Eagles are scavengers. I don't see anything wrong about feeding the "birds" in the winter.

MeredithMan · 02-12-2014, 01:32 PM

So as a fisherman, I have thrown old bait or fish remnants onto the ice, (or in the lake in the summer), assuming that it would provide a snack for some species of scavenger. Personally, I wouldn't go out of my way to purposely get fish guts or carcasses to put out in the hopes of attracting an eagle, (or other animal), to get a photo, but that's just me.

I can't help think of the old adage, "never feed a stray", whether it's a kitten, dog, woman, man, or eagle! HA

MM

Merrymeeting · 02-12-2014, 06:30 PM

Interestingly, they are reaching nuisance level in Alaska, hanging around the dumps in large numbers, like seagulls here!

Lakesrider · 02-15-2014, 05:21 PM

Here is a couple pics I just got...One Eagle, One Hawk.

rgilfert · 02-16-2014, 07:56 AM

Lakesrider.....that eagle picture is awesome!!

Airedale1 · 02-19-2014, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Life is Wild

Is it illegal and/or unethical to put a dead fish on the ice to attract an eagle for photography?

No, not at all and no different that attracting birds to your backyard with a feeder.

dpg · 02-20-2014, 07:15 AM

If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? And..if nobody knows you left a fish out is it illegal??

02-12-2014, 11:41 AM	#1
Life is Wild Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 28 Thanks: 22 Thanked 16 Times in 9 Posts	Eagle photography Is it illegal and/or unethical to put a dead fish on the ice to attract an eagle for photography? If it is legal, and if it is a one-time, one-fish only event, so an eagle passing by just gets lucky but the location doesn't become a feeding station, is it unethical? Generally, I am in the camp that feeding wildlife is not a good idea, but the bald eagles' scavenging and piracy tendencies raise the question. If fishermen discard fish remains which are eaten by eagles (I saw three eagles tussling over various fish carcasses near bob houses during the fishing derby) while Fish and Game officers are out and about, then, is it less frowned upon than I am imagining? Any advice?

02-12-2014, 01:32 PM	#3
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 864 Thanks: 233 Thanked 768 Times in 302 Posts	The old adage, "never feed a stray..." So as a fisherman, I have thrown old bait or fish remnants onto the ice, (or in the lake in the summer), assuming that it would provide a snack for some species of scavenger. Personally, I wouldn't go out of my way to purposely get fish guts or carcasses to put out in the hopes of attracting an eagle, (or other animal), to get a photo, but that's just me. I can't help think of the old adage, "never feed a stray", whether it's a kitten, dog, woman, man, or eagle! HA MM

02-16-2014, 07:56 AM	#6
rgilfert Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bedford, NH / Rattlesnake Island Posts: 299 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 57 Posts	Thanks for Sharing Lakesrider.....that eagle picture is awesome!!

02-12-2014, 12:12 PM	#2
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,058 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Despite being our Nation's symbol, Eagles are scavengers. I don't see anything wrong about feeding the "birds" in the winter.

The Following User Says Thank You to Pineedles For This Useful Post:
Life is Wild (02-12-2014)

The Following User Says Thank You to MeredithMan For This Useful Post:
Life is Wild (02-12-2014)

02-12-2014, 06:30 PM	#4
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	Interestingly, they are reaching nuisance level in Alaska, hanging around the dumps in large numbers, like seagulls here!

02-15-2014, 05:21 PM	#5
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Here is a couple pics I just got...One Eagle, One Hawk.

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Lakesrider For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (02-19-2014), bclaker (02-19-2014), Greene's Basin Girl (02-16-2014), rgilfert (02-16-2014)

The Following User Says Thank You to Airedale1 For This Useful Post:
Life is Wild (02-22-2014)

02-20-2014, 07:15 AM	#8
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? And..if nobody knows you left a fish out is it illegal??

The Following User Says Thank You to dpg For This Useful Post:
Life is Wild (02-22-2014)