- Jul 21, 2011
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A quick search if the internet produced only one instance where an individual was sentenced for killing a hawk. One guy admitted to killing a bald eagle and 20 hawks and although paid a heavy fine, he did not see any jail time. http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/ma...cle_2148c684-c46d-11e0-9f75-001cc4c002e0.html
There is another instance where a pro golfer killed a red-shouldered hawk by hitting golf balls at it until one hit and killed the bird. He got a 'legal mulligan'. He received a very light sentence of one year probation and 100 hours of community service. He only had to do 40 hours of service in exchange for a small contribution to a wildlife preserve.
http://jonathanturley.org/2008/08/3...s-a-legal-mulligan-on-killing-protected-hawk/
There are other instances of individuals killing eagles by cutting down trees and killing juviniles and also there are some instances of individuals killing multiple federally protected birds by use of poison. Interstingly enough when a large corporation kills hundreds of protected species (usually by an oil spill) they only pay fines with no one serving any jail time.
The maximum criminal penalty for an individual violating the Act is a $5000 fine and a six-month jail term for each count (18 U.S.C.571; 16 U.S.C. 707).
There is another instance where a pro golfer killed a red-shouldered hawk by hitting golf balls at it until one hit and killed the bird. He got a 'legal mulligan'. He received a very light sentence of one year probation and 100 hours of community service. He only had to do 40 hours of service in exchange for a small contribution to a wildlife preserve.
http://jonathanturley.org/2008/08/3...s-a-legal-mulligan-on-killing-protected-hawk/
There are other instances of individuals killing eagles by cutting down trees and killing juviniles and also there are some instances of individuals killing multiple federally protected birds by use of poison. Interstingly enough when a large corporation kills hundreds of protected species (usually by an oil spill) they only pay fines with no one serving any jail time.
The maximum criminal penalty for an individual violating the Act is a $5000 fine and a six-month jail term for each count (18 U.S.C.571; 16 U.S.C. 707).