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March 27, 2012
Eagles but No Eagle Hole for the Arapaho [Bumped for discussion of eagle diets]
I would not mind the Northern Arapaho killing two eagles as long as they did it in the traditional way. How is that you ask?
The hunter digs a pit in which he hides, naked, next to the pit he places a dead carcass, the bait. When the eagle comes to feed on the carcass the hunter springs from the pit and subdues the eagle with his bare hands, braving razor sharp talons and beak.
It takes real balls to hunt Bald Eagles in the traditional manner. The hunt is liable to result in deep wounds or loss of an eye.
I have found old abandoned pits in the high plains of Dakota north of the Black Hills. They are small, cramped, and no place this "white eyes" would care to spend up to 36 hours before the eagle comes for the bate. If the Arapaho have the cajones to do it in the traditional manner, I say more power to them. But they likely will simply use a shotgun.
Posted by gerardvanderleun at March 27, 2012 10:21 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
Bwhahahahha!!!!!
Archiving.
Posted by: Cond0010 at March 26, 2012 10:29 AM
Bwhahahahha!!!!!
Bullshit.
The American Bald Eagle is a fish eater, not a carrion hunter.
Posted by: Peccable at March 26, 2012 11:53 AM
Hmmm...
"According to the Smithsonian National Zoo, a bald eagle's diet is mainly centered around fish, although they will also eat small mammals like muskrats, other birds (particularly waterfowl) and even carrion.
www.ehow.com/facts_6154610_bald-eagle_s-diet.html#ixzz1qFcyFz5F
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“But they likely will simply use a shotgun.”
And afterwards, sitting inside their government shanty, they’ll chug down a bottle of Jack Daniel’s reveling in their heritage and warrior tradition. Counting down the days till the next reparation/welfare check arrives and wondering where the invitation to the opening ceremonies of the newest Walmart is. Imagining how they’ll do the dance of the Eagle, sing the song of Earth Mother and another exquisite round of White guilt will be enjoyed by all.
The circle is complete. Beat the drums slowly.
We came, we saw, we conquered. Like all peoples, of all continents, of all times. Deal. With. It.
Posted by: tim at March 26, 2012 12:04 PM
....But they likely will simply use a shotgun. More likely they'll hire a white hunter.
Posted by: BillH at March 26, 2012 12:06 PM
I hate to contradict you Pecc (esp since you are a long term commenter here) but...
True they are a fish eater, but they also eat carrion of all sorts.
sorry, man.
Posted by: Cond0010 at March 26, 2012 12:07 PM
Peccable, right now, out my south facing window a Bald Eagle is eating the "left overs" of a calf birth from late last night.
I live on a cattle ranch in Nevada. This is a normal "meal" for Bald eagles.
Posted by: Terry at March 26, 2012 12:11 PM
@Peccable
Just Image Google 'Bald eagle eating (Rabbit/deer/duck/goose)' and you will see it for yourself.
Posted by: cond0010 at March 26, 2012 12:21 PM
Why the hell don't they just climb up to a nest and collect feathers?
Posted by: Uncle Jefe at March 26, 2012 3:35 PM
What I want to know is has this experiment in keeping aboriginals in a primitive, dependent, inebriated, and usually uneducated state really been a good thing for them?
Posted by: Jewel at March 26, 2012 5:14 PM
A good thing? Don't know, but it has been successful!
Posted by: vanderleun at March 26, 2012 6:42 PM
Jewel and Gerard,
Good thing? Why yes it is a good thing. I provides all of us several locations around the country to take our children so that they may learn how socialism works.
You don't even have to take a trip to Cuba.
Posted by: Mike at March 27, 2012 12:42 AM
Wrestle a bald eagle? Big deal, I know people that have actually survived the two hour wait to have AAA come out and change the tire on a Chevy Suburban while they were forced to listen to CDs and satellite radio. The air conditioner can get mighty cold if you aren't careful. And then there was the tornado that knocked out cable TV for half a day, that was almost like an apocalypse.
Posted by: Scott M at March 27, 2012 2:18 AM
To the commenters about eagle diet, I've never seen the eagle eat anything but fish and the odd duck. My experience is from Vermont, living on Lake Champlain. Most of the eagles actually nested in NY around Crown Point and Ft.Ti. The ones I photographed on the Connecticut River dined the same.
Posted by: Peccable at March 27, 2012 4:10 AM
"I've never seen the eagle eat anything but fish and the odd duck. My experience is from Vermont, living on Lake Champlain."
You're Welcome. I'm glad you learned something new, Pecc.
Posted by: Cond0010 at March 27, 2012 5:34 AM
Peccable:
I invite you to cruse the two lane blacktops of Wyoming in January or February. For every antelope carcass along the side of the road,(pickup trucks being the primary predator in this case), there is an entire congress of birds that gather for the feast. Baldys, goldens, hawks, and an entire host of ravens all scrapping for food.
I generally slow down to a crawl in these situations because an eagle in the windshield is hard on a truck. But I can assure you that they do indeed eat carrion.
In fact, all of raptor family are opportunists who will seldom pass up an opportunity for protein, fish fowl or otherwise. I have watched these birds for years.
As for the eagle pits check out the far northwest corner of South Dakota. I used to hike what we called the painted hills. The pits are scattered in this remote area of the high plains. Or check out Mystic Warriors of the Plains by Thomas Mails. He details the eagle hunt in the traditional manner.
Posted by: stuart at March 27, 2012 9:51 AM
What's the difference between Gen. Custer and Jack Daniels? After 135 years, Jack Daniels is still killing Indians.
Posted by: John T at March 27, 2012 3:10 PM
Arapahos are practical, a shotgun makes sense; like Ford pick ups and Netflix. Let's keep the First Amendment while we enjoy exotic tales of the Stone Age.
Posted by: Gary Ogletree at March 28, 2012 6:09 AM