Illegal Bird Hunting a Big Problem in Pacific Northwest
After rescuing and rehabilitating a bald eagle near Rainier last month, the Audubon Society of Portland has come to the conclusion that illegal bird hunting in the Northwest could be a much bigger problem than most people think.
According to conservation director Bob Sallinger, most birds that are shot illegally are never recovered. Their bodies are left to be scavenged and decompose, making it very difficult for anyone to know the exact number of birds killed each year.
“The fact that we get in as many birds that are shot as we do is indicative of a much larger problem,” Sallinger told Oregonian contributor Lynn Terry.
There are a few main reasons people illegally shoot birds. Sometimes the hunter feels the bird is interfering with his or her pets or livestock. Sometimes the birds are killed so the hunter can sell the bird’s feathers, talons or heads. Other times, the birds are shot by people who just don’t care that what they’re doing is illegal.
Sallinger wants to see better enforcement of the current laws and stricter punishments of those who break them. He says most perpetrators get off with “minimal penalties” when caught and convicted.
If you’d like to report an incident involving the illegal hunting of protected birds, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website to find the office nearest you.
Read more about the latest hunting news or learn about choosing the right hunting gear.
