Eagle photography

[Life is Wild]

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]

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

[MeredithMan]

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 :laugh:

MM

[Merrymeeting]

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

[Lakesrider]

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

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/057_zpsb335df2e.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/052_zps0682bbfa.jpg

[rgilfert]

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

[Airedale1]

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]

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