Bald Eagle Shot in Richland County

[marine_man]

Bald Eagle Shot in Richland County

Law enforcement authorities are looking for information in the illegal killing of a mature bald eagle late last week in Richland County.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden Tim Phalen said he received a call Friday afternoon, Dec. 10, of an eagle wedged in a tree 5 miles west and 5 miles south of Wahpeton along the Wild Rice River. Phalen said the eagle was shot, fell forward and became tangled in branches. A local utility company assisted in retrieving the bird.

“This was a mature, adult bald eagle,” Phalen said. “There was no mistaking this for another species.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Phalen at (701) 899-0798, the Game and Fish Department’s enforcement office in Bismarck at (701) 328-6604, or the Report All Poachers telephone number at (800) 472-2121.

The RAP line offers rewards for information that leads to conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. Callers can remain anonymous.

[lovebigbluegills]

What a shame...who the heck would do something like this??? I hope they find the person that's responsible.

[cbrooks]

Garbage like this gives hunters a bad name I hope they catch the SOB

[harvey lee]

This post sure caught my eye.

Approx 3 weeks ago I found a dying bald eagle on the ranch we hunt on in Richland county. I called Tim Phalen the mentioned CO in the above post and he came out and picked it up.

They are an awesone, beautiful bird and why someone would kill one is sure beyond me.

[Scoot]

I thought of you when I heard this story on the radio-- sounds like a similar deal to what you had happen at the Ranch. Not only are they beautiful birds, but how foolish is it to shoot one? A federally protected bird... someone's looking at jail-time for this.

Tom, did any of the pics you took turn out?

[harvey lee]

I took them with my phone and they did not turn out that well. Tim Phalen told me the Game & Fish would let me know what killed the bird.

I have this one from my phone but it was a bit foggy and one cannot see that well. I also took some pic's of the talon's and the beak. The talons are really sharp and large. If I can find those photo's from my camera, I will post them.

[Scoot]

Cool- thanks Tom.