WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A central Kansas man has pleaded guilty to killing a golden eagle while he was hunting coyote near Cedar Bluff Reservoir earlier this year.
The U.S. Attorney’s office says Chad Irvin (35), of La Crosse, entered the plea Tuesday in federal court in Wichita. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and assessed $8,000 in fines and restitution.
Eagles are protected under federal law.
Irvin admitted firing at the eagle twice after spotting it Jan. 9 in Trego County.
The injured bird was recovered and sent to the Great Bend zoo for veterinary care. Officials said the eagle’s legs were paralyzed from the shooting, and it had to be euthanized.
Irvin’s sentence also includes three years of probation, during which he’s barred from hunting, fishing, trapping and guiding.
