2 charged for allegedly shooting Red-tailed Hawk in south central Georgia

BERRIEN COUNTY, Ga. — Two people are facing charges for allegedly shooting a Red-Tailed Hawk.

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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said Sunday morning Corp. Johnny Robinette and Sgt. Jon Penuel was checking a duck shoot in Berrien County.

While checking the duck shoot, Robineette and Penuel saw two people shoot a Red-tailed Hawk and a songbird, officials said.

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Georgia law prohibits the killing, possession, sale, and transporting of eagles, hawks and other migratory birds except for the transportation of feathers into the state of non-migratory birds for millinery purposes.

The University of Georgia’s Museum of Natural History states that the Red-tailed Hawk can be spotted year-round throughout Georgia where suitable habitat is present.

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The two suspects, who were not identified, were charged with taking protected species.

DNR said the hawk was seized as evidence.

Berrien County is about 205 miles from Atlanta.

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