Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

This Act was originally enacted in 1940 as the Bald Eagle Protection Act to protect bald eagles and later amended to include golden eagles. It prohibits the taking or possession of and commerce in bald and golden eagles, parts, feathers, nests, or eggs, with limited exceptions. The definition of take includes pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest, or disturb. Bald eagles may not be taken for any purpose unless a permit is issued prior to the taking. Permits must be obtained from the U.S. Department of the Interior to relocate nests that interfere with resource development or recovery.