Northern Arapaho Tribe labels federal eagle permit a 'sham'

Thursday, April 5, 2012  

The Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming says a federal permit to kill two bald eagles is a "sham" because it isn't valid in Indian Country.

The permit, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, does not allow tribal members to take eagles on the Wind River Reservation. That means the only option is the state of Wyoming -- where killing eagles is against state law.

“Any tribal member taking an eagle pursuant to the March 9, 2012, permit is subject to arrest and prosecution by the State of Wyoming, whether the take occurs on federal, state or other lands ” the tribe said in a federal court filing, the Associated Press reported.

The director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is looking into the issue, the AP said. Officials wouldn't say whether they would join the litigation.

The tribe shares the Wind River Reservation with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.

Get the Story:
Wyoming game department evaluates whether tribal eagle permit needs state approval (AP 4/4)
Bald eagle ruling boomerangs on tribe (Includes AP story from March 31)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Religion and tribal rights with permit to take eagles (3/21)
Bald eagle found near DC train station ends up in repository (3/19)
Mediaite: Comedian backs tribe's right to take bald eagles (3/15)
Northern Arapaho Tribe receives permit to take bald eagles (3/14)