The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are investigating the shooting of a bald eagle in Haywood County. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered to anyone for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing the eagle. The Humane Society of the United States has matched the original $2,500 reward amount offered by the public agencies, bringing the total up to $5,000.
The bald eagle was discovered on May 4 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds located on Soco Road, U.S. Highway 19, in Maggie Valley. An examination revealed that the eagle had been recently shot and bullet fragments were removed from the carcass. The eagle was an immature bald eagle and lacked the characteristic adult white head and tail feathers.
Bald eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, both federal wildlife statutes. Violations of these statutes carry maximum criminal penalties of up to $100,000 and/or one year in federal prison.
Anyone with information concerning this eagle is asked to call Special Agent Tom Chisdock with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement at (828) 258-2084 or Captain Greg Daniels with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at (828) 337-9425.
How awful. That really, really sucks. It’s our national bird. I hope they catch the person(s) responsible.
If I knew who did this, not only would I gladly turn them in without any reward, I’d pay for the opportunity to do so.
Me, too. It’s tragic when an innocent bird is senselessly killed, whether we are talking about one bald eagle or the one million chickens killed in America every hour.
[b]It’s our national bird.[/b]
Yea, well, if Ben Franklin had his way, we’d be eating eagles for Thanksgiving and our money would have turkeys on it.
Instead of, you know, turkeys managing it.
Me, too, Stewart. At least, partly.
Killing an endangered bald eagle really is senseless, and some ignorant jerk shooting the “innocent” eagle does deserve some analogous fate of which I imagine numerous people would comply; but it really ain’t about chickens, Stewart, or about whether that eagle was “innocent” or not.
So, having said that, I do so regret all those millions, nay, billions, of “innocent” mice, rabbits, turtles, salamanders, insects, bacteria, etc., that we little farmers “senselessly kill” in order to feed our families……. and even more so in those odious factory farms you regularly decry.
It is tragic. Yes.
So, without getting into any NRA discussions, some jerk killing that marvelous bald eagle is just wrong, wrong, wrong.
Bottom line is that when I saw that photo I just wanted to puke.
There will be a meeting Saturday May 21st, 2011 @ 11:00am at the Haywood county fair grounds building there will be a meeting with report on the latest legislation affecting bear hunters and hunters using dogs.
As this is a group of hunters known for their arrogance and trespassing it would be a good bet that something might be known about the eagle killing. Hope someone can claim the reward. This sort of lawlessness must be stopped. That is why resolutions to protect private property from trespassing hunters and damages from dogs passed unanimously at local conventions.
It were AL Queda! They hate our symbols of FreedomS!
The bear hunters in Haywood County illegally slaughter bears every year. Are the Wildlife Enforcement Officers turning a blind eye to this? When is the last time anyone from Haywood County has been prosecuted for illegal hunting? Are we to believe that the killing of this eagle will be any different than the bears that are slaughtered illegally?
It was probably one of these dopes who believes the RAPTOR is coming.
“Are we to believe that the killing of this eagle will be any different than the bears that are slaughtered illegally?”
No, not in any moral context. The lucrative international black market for bear parts (spleens, etc.), though, is a factor.
So which is worse–wanton killing or killing for profit?
The hunter’s now have the upper hand with their wholly owned slaves in the Forest Service. Anyone who opposes their trespassing or activity in any verbal way is ticketed by the Fed. law enforcement for interfering with a FS road, or hunter harassment. Two resolutions have been passed in the Democratic 11th District Convention that would bring some justice back to this lawless situation. see resolutions pages 22-24 on http://www.nceleventhdems.org/NC-11th_District_Resolutions_for_consideration_at_convention_2011.pdf
Please ask your reps to sponsor these important resolutions.
“Yea, well, if Ben Franklin had his way, we’d be eating eagles for Thanksgiving and our money would have turkeys on it.”
Every red-blooded American boy, and a few girls, want to grow up to pilot a sleek US Air Force
F-15E STRIKE TURKEY.