by Kim Gebbia
DOVER, Tenn- Bald Eagles are a national symbol and still a protected bird, but that doesn't seem to stop some Tennessee hunters from gunning them down. A TWRA official confirmed that a third eagle has been shot and killed, this one in Dover.
The eagle population near Fort Donelson has grown since two American Bald Eagles nested there in 2004.
"It's a testament to how the eagles have come back after almost being extinct 59 years ago," said one local photographer, Luther Cole.
The eagle is no longer extinct, but still federally protected and that means bald eagles are still illegal to hunt.
"99% of hunters respect that and would never think about shooting an eagle," said Clay Riley with the TWRA.
That one percent has been rearing its ugly head in Dover. TWRA officials confirmed a bald eagle was shot and killed here during duck hunt season in December
"Just a gut feeling I think it was probably intentional," said Riley.
Officers didn't see it happen, but they know it did because this small town has been talking, even bragging, about the shooting.
"There's been a lot of talk around Stewart County kids are bragging about what happened. There may even be some juveniles involved," Riley said.
"I think it's something to be ashamed of these eagles don't bother anybody," said Cole.
Confirmation of this latest eagle death comes on the same day wildlife officials announced a 17,000 dollar cash reward for information about two illegal eagle hunts in Bledsoe and Cumberland Counties last year.
"You hate to think it takes money to talk and tell what they should be telling anyway sometimes it works and I really hope it does in this case," said Riley.
"What is the point in killing a beautiful bird in order to say I did it?" asked Cole.
And these bird lovers want to know who did it.
That $17,000 cash reward is for any information about the eagle shootings last year in Bledsoe and Cumberland Counties. Anyone with information about those cases or the one in Dover please call 1-800-831-1173.
There are an estimated 400 bald eagles now living on the Cumberland River.
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