Finding This On A Hike And Keeping It Could Cost You $100,000

There are so many hiking trails in and around the Capital Region. But if you find this certain piece of nature, you must leave it where you found it or you could get arrested and fined. The governor just learned of this law too. According to WKBW.com, there is a law on the books in New York state that even Governor Cuomo didn't know existed. He was telling an interesting nature story and was then told it was illegal to keep this item he found.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo was on a trip to a lake in the Adirondacks when an eagle swooped passed the family's canoe. When it did, it lost one of its feathers. The governor brought it home and put it on his mantle. While telling the story, he was told that it is illegal to possess any eagle feathers by non-Native Americans.

Apparently there is the Bald and Golden Eadle Protection Act of 1940 that prohibits people from having them. If you are convicted of violating this law, you can face a fine up to $100,000 and a year in jail.

The governor said he will give the feather to a US Fish and Wildlife repository.