WAYNE COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING HAWKS
Hawks are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Ohio

AKRON, OH – In October of 2007, Wildlife Officer Eric Ucker received a complaint that led to the arrest of a Wayne County man, according to the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

Atlee Hershberger, 39, of Fredericksburg, was charged with and convicted on violations of catching, killing, and possessing two Cooper’s hawks. Hershberger was fined a total of $661.00.

“Mr. Hershberger knowingly violated laws in an effort to protect his purple martin colony,” said Officer Ucker. Cooper’s hawks commonly prey on small birds, including purple martins.  Officer Ucker continued, “The cage-style trap he was using to catch birds does not discriminate. Many different avian species can be caught.” The two Cooper’s hawks died as a result of being caught in the homemade trap.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects all migratory birds and helped put an end to the commercial trade in birds and their feathers that, by the early years of the 20th century, had wreaked havoc on the populations of many native bird species. This act decrees that all migratory birds and their parts (including eggs, nests, and feathers) are fully protected. Go to http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/ for a list of protected species.

The Division of Wildlife encourages anyone who is aware of a possible violation of wildlife laws to call the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) line at 1-800-POACHER. Callers can remain anonymous. Submit a TIP