What a great thread!

Living in Indian Country I can tell you that Native Americans are often hypervigilant about non-Native Americans wearing real eagle feathers. And, they are most aggressive about confronting a non-Native American wearing an eagle feather. Gotta be tough for the "government" to police that law. Seems most Native Americans are eager to do that policing for the government.

I have been confronted vigorously for wearing a raven feather in a hat. Raven's are not covered in the law but the gentleman in my face about it thought it was an eagle feather. Pointed out that it was completely jet black and asked if he'd ever seen a black eagle...

There are legal feathers in my office and its not uncommon that the first question from a Native American client is, "Are those eagle feathers?" Their tone is always suspicious and they seem ready to unload if I answer yes.

I'm positive that if someone in full Scottish regalia with an eagle feather came to my little town next to the reservation that they probably couldn't walk two blocks down the street before they'd be surrounded by Native Americans pointing to the eagle feather and ignoring the kilt and other kit.

Point is just that in Indian Country the law is very well known and vigorusly enforced by Native peoples.

Native American craft supply stores usually stock immitation eagle feathers - which would keep someone within the law while presenting a similar appearance.