I Hit A Bald Eagle With My Truck

[frozenchief]

Not something you see every day. Driving in to work and bald eagle swoops down to get some road kill. This eagle and another had been fighting with a few crows. Problem was he went to get it when I was way too close to him. He tried to fly away but there was just no way he could get away in time.

[seclark]

Years back I was driving through a country road trying to make it to my kids baseball game, and I popped over the hill and a flock of turkeys was in the middle of the road and I just scattered them. I just kept going and got to the south side of town and drove up the main drag to the north side where the ball fields were and parked. Got out and walked around the front of the truck and there was a dead turkey jammed in the brush guard in front of the truck. I yanked it out and threw it under the truck parked next to me and walked to the game.
sec

[Tribal Warfare]

Philadelphia Eagles meme treasure trove

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHeaven

It's funny. Here in the Omaha area there are a few nests, one is about 2 miles south of my house, and that's where this one is probably from. People also talk of a nest in a recreational area nearby too. We're all pretty excited about them still.

Apparently there are some in a wildlife refuge north of Denver, but they don't come down in my direction. However, we have one or two that will occasionally come down into the city parks. I saw one just a couple of weeks ago, and it's really cool to see it in the park. This one was at the top of a tree that's actually inside the zoo, so I bet the eagle thinks that the wildlife is amazing in that park.

[Rainbarrel]

Where were the computer parts?

[Otter]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHeaven

It's funny. Here in the Omaha area there are a few nests, one is about 2 miles south of my house, and that's where this one is probably from. People also talk of a nest in a recreational area nearby too. We're all pretty excited about them still.

I was standing below one that was perched in a tree somewhere close to Homer or Kenai and it was like walking into a domestic house with cats. It took notice I was in the area but didn't even really flinch at my presence.

My 2 states are PA and CO and you can't even get in 100 yards of them if you're lucky enough to even spot one.

Alaska is to bald eagles as Sweden is to good looking blond women.

[frozenchief]

Just to answer a few points.

Otter is correct. We have a LOT of bald eagles here. They were originally put on the endangered species list because of DDT. DDT accumulates in tissues and fish would eat bugs exposed to DDT and eagles eat the fish and it created problems. With the banning of DDT and strict protection, they are rebounding. But we have a ton of them.

I hit this one on the highway that goes right past the Anchorage dump. For those familiar with the area, it was just past the Hiland Mountain exit.

I've handled cases involving people prosecuted for unlawfully possessing eagle parts. And walrus tusks. And seal hides. And polar bear hides. I'm familiar with the law. There are 2 aspects to the law protecting eagles: criminal and civil. Think of them as the difference between reckless driving and speeding. Reckless driving involves a mental state - recklessness. Speeding does not. If you are facing a speeding ticket, the only question is whether you were speeding, not your excuse or justification.

To be criminally liable, the government would have to prove I knowingly killed this eagle. It was clearly an accident and they cannot do so. If it had been a non-endangered bird, like a turkey, I would have just thrown it into the ditch and filed an insurance claim. Doing so with an eagle, though, could create a ton of issues. I want to avoid the criminal issues. I do face the possibility of a fine. Before I can be fined, though, I am entitled to present a defense. I personally know the USF&W attorney and I've already called him to advise him of this situation.

I figured my choices are as follows: throw the bird off the side of the road, file an insurance claim and hope nobody finds out. Not likely to succeed and I'd be subject to far more scrutiny than I really want. What if they charge me with keeping feathers? I did not but my failure to report at that point looks very, very bad. Or, I can call APD and document that I didn't keep anything and I reported it as quickly as possible. I might (emphasis on might) be fined but I anticipate any fine would be minimal. Further, the fine is essentially insurance that I won't wind up facing worse charges. Does that suck? Yeah but that's life. I figure it's one hell of a story.

The sad thing is that I love this state, in part because of the unique wildlife. Seeing bald eagles, even if it's as common as a seeing a robin in Kansas, still makes my day. I love to see moose and caribou and even when I hunt one, there's grief over death. That grief, though, is mitigated because I know that animal will feed a number of people. This was just death.

In memoriam, I offer this moving tribute to eagles (Language NSFW):

[BigRichard]

Originally Posted by Pepe Silvia

Just like the Pilgrims intended.

Originally Posted by Womble

I wonder what it tastes like.

[New World Order]

Is it ok?

[Otter]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Is it ok?

The eagle looks to be resting quiet peacefully even for such an awkward position.


Welcome to Hotel California.

[In58men]

I feel like you could have slowed down, but that’s probably just me.

[Otter]

And I'm sure Jeffrey Lebowski is toasting you with a white Russian.

[BEAVER]

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR CARS EXTENDED WARRANTY.

[TribalElder]

Amazing

you could have at least used an american truck to kill the american bird

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

Just to answer a few points.


In memoriam, I offer this moving tribute to eagles (Language NSFW):

I'm still at that.

[dannybcaitlyn]

Originally Posted by In58men

I feel like you could have slowed down, but that’s probably just me.

He does live in Alaska. Last thing you want to do is to be slamming on the brakes on them roads.