What taxidermy is illegal?

All owls, falcons, raptors, songbirds, and migratory birds are illegal for taxidermy or even possession in the United States. The Guild is working to secure a future for legitimate taxidermy and supports the police and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in their action against illegal capture of wildlife. It is not illegal to possess taxidermy as long as the animal has not been illegally killed. Accredited taxidermists will attach a business label to their work and provide any relevant licenses and full data.

Taxidermy became all the rage and this demand led many untrained taxidermists to take up the trade, but only a few had technical and artistic skills. Taxidermists continue to mount specimens that have been shot or killed, but the Guild only supports such activity if it is done strictly within the law. Most taxidermists have a deep knowledge and appreciation of natural history, as this helps them to accurately preserve the specimen and recreate the natural living environment, so they tend to be sincere naturalists.