Kip’s Comments - December 27, 2025
Mixed Emotions
During my outdoor photography explorations today I came upon a situation that I have mixed emotions about. What I found was not appropriate or legal, but may have been better than other options. Allow me to explain.
After exploring a grassland area I was headed near a river when five adult bald eagles and several younger birds immediately grabbed my attention. The adult birds were close… very close. That there were so many in one place set off red flags. Why were there so many bald eagles so close? What were the eagles of all ages attracted to?
After shooting my first picture - an adult bald eagle with a young bald eagle - I did some investigating.
Adult and Young Bald Eagle - Image 1052784
My hunch was correct that so many eagles in one place were there for a specific reason. Someone or more than one person dumped whitetail deer carcasses on the frozen river. Bald eagles - being carrion eaters - were doing what bald eagles do… they feed on dead animals.
Whitetail Carcasses on Ice - Image 1053025
Why do I have mixed emotions about this - the dumping of carcasses on the ice and eventually into the river? The person or persons responsible for the carcasses on the ice apparently follow different guidelines than most hunters. Thankfully, the vast majority of hunters properly dispose of their carcasses. Think about it… how many animal carcasses do you see on ice or in ditches? Very few, some years none, yet there are many deer and other wild game harvested each year. Those hunters utilize the meat and properly dispose of the carcasses.
Whitetail Carcasses on Ice - Image 1053029
Had the shooters of these deer not dumped the carcasses over the bridge, where else may have they disposed of them? A second option, I suppose, would have been to toss the remains into a road ditch. Think about what issues that may have presented.
Whitetail Carcasses on Ice - Image 1053041
Had these carcasses been dumped in a ditch, odds are the same bald eagles that found them on the ice would have soon been feeding on the carcasses along the road. Just as eagles (and turkey vultures) feed on roadkill, the clean-up birds would have been feasting on this meal. The birds do not know or care how the animals were killed - they just recognize an easy meal. And just as eagles and vultures feed on roadkill, chances are good one or more would have waited a few seconds too long to take flight as an approaching vehicle startled them. Then, as we have had multiple times in the past, we may have had an injured bald eagle to take care of or, worse yet, a dead bald eagle.
While I do not agree with the improper disposal of animal remains, I guess if people are not going to follow the rules, then putting the carcasses where any feeding animals are somewhat safe is better than in a ditch next to passing vehicles. Better yet, remember that proper disposal of carcasses is part of the hunting process.
Turning a negative into a positive…. Finding the eagle buffet did provide for opportunities to shoot plenty of pictures, including images that “looked down” on birds we normally do not see from above.
Adult Bald Eagle - Image 1052851
Adult Bald Eagle - Image 1052931
Adult Bald Eagle - Image 1052913
Adult Bald Eagle - Image 1052913
