I don't really have an opinion on the giving of permits for taking Bald Eagles. I am not that familiar with the provisions of the Eagle Act which is still in effect for both Bald and Golden Eagles. Here is a link for additional information:
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MidwestBi...its/index.html
I do know that the US Fish and Wildlife Service can and will issue permits for protected species in specific instances.
I have personally delivered or shipped eagles and other raptors to the USF&WS repository in Denver. I can say that many are not in the greatest condition. We tend to acquire them from being hit while scavenging along roadways, electrocutions, collisions, etc. From these types of sources they might be on the ground for quite sometime before we even know about them. Unless they are way beyond salvage, we still send them. That doesn't mean that they are pristine. Some poaching does occur, but we don't get many that way. Sometimes one will pick up lead and we'll find them sick. Those we can deliver quite fresh.
FWIW
RB