3 ms·

The family's story is that the boy went out to collect goose feathers. And there is some concern about whether harvesting or possession of bird feathers is lega

The family's story is that the boy went out to collect goose feathers. And there is some concern about whether harvesting or possession of bird feathers is legal, depending on the type of bird. The subsequent charges and court case don't seem to mention involving Fish & Wildlife, but perhaps they want to remind parents that they should not commission their underage children to go on poaching runs.

benced 1mo ago
This is potentially stupider than the claimed crime.
simulator5g 1mo ago
"land of the free" but its potentially illegal to pick up feathers off the ground
- wood_spirit 1mo ago
  To be clear, not being allowed to possess the eggs, feathers or any other part of a protected species is probably a good thing? Not being able to pretend you “found them on the ground” is probably better stopped than the problem of children really finding things on the ground.
  - anonymousiam 1mo ago
    Laws based upon speculation that you may act dishonestly are wrong. I've seen lots of police statements about arrests and detentions where the officer basically says, "We didn't know that he was not going to do something illegal." Putting somebody in a position where they have to prove a negative is plain wrong. The prosecution needs to prove a positive, unless you're in Plymouth, Massachusetts where the prosecutor is required to disprove all defense assertions about mental illness, or the jury will acquit. I read about this story on Reason.com a few days ago. The mother is getting her law license and is now worried about the repercussions of her having a criminal record. https://reason.com/2026/09/02/virginia-mom-gets-6-month-suspended-jail-sentence-for-letting-5-year-old-walk-to-the-pond/ https://reason.com/2026/09/02/virginia-mom-gets-6-month-susp...
  - paleotrope 1mo ago
    What's ridiculous is Canada Goose being in that category.
  - Markoff 1mo ago
    > Not being able to pretend you “found them on the ground” is probably better stopped than the problem of children really finding things on the ground. Oh, I thought "Innocent until proven guilty" was concept known even in US, but apparently it didn't arrive there yet.
- Markoff 1mo ago
  Wait till you learn about proplifting... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proplifting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proplifting
- ButlerianJihad 1mo ago
  Woman fined $88K after kids collect clams from Pismo Beach https://youtu.be/y2y5zCOcS-0?si=06doXuDb1ubfbI6s https://youtu.be/y2y5zCOcS-0?si=06doXuDb1ubfbI6s

benced 1mo ago

This is potentially stupider than the claimed crime.

simulator5g 1mo ago

"land of the free" but its potentially illegal to pick up feathers off the ground

wood_spirit 1mo ago
To be clear, not being allowed to possess the eggs, feathers or any other part of a protected species is probably a good thing? Not being able to pretend you “found them on the ground” is probably better stopped than the problem of children really finding things on the ground.
- anonymousiam 1mo ago
  Laws based upon speculation that you may act dishonestly are wrong. I've seen lots of police statements about arrests and detentions where the officer basically says, "We didn't know that he was not going to do something illegal." Putting somebody in a position where they have to prove a negative is plain wrong. The prosecution needs to prove a positive, unless you're in Plymouth, Massachusetts where the prosecutor is required to disprove all defense assertions about mental illness, or the jury will acquit. I read about this story on Reason.com a few days ago. The mother is getting her law license and is now worried about the repercussions of her having a criminal record. https://reason.com/2026/09/02/virginia-mom-gets-6-month-suspended-jail-sentence-for-letting-5-year-old-walk-to-the-pond/ https://reason.com/2026/09/02/virginia-mom-gets-6-month-susp...
- paleotrope 1mo ago
  What's ridiculous is Canada Goose being in that category.
- Markoff 1mo ago
  > Not being able to pretend you “found them on the ground” is probably better stopped than the problem of children really finding things on the ground. Oh, I thought "Innocent until proven guilty" was concept known even in US, but apparently it didn't arrive there yet.
Markoff 1mo ago
Wait till you learn about proplifting... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proplifting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proplifting
ButlerianJihad 1mo ago
Woman fined $88K after kids collect clams from Pismo Beach https://youtu.be/y2y5zCOcS-0?si=06doXuDb1ubfbI6s https://youtu.be/y2y5zCOcS-0?si=06doXuDb1ubfbI6s