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Swan shot illegally at Mermet Lake, officials say

BY LES WINKELER, The Southern

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 2:25 PM CST

Federal officials will soon be investigating the apparent illegal shooting of a migratory bird in Southern Illinois.

The names of three hunters involved in a New Year’s Eve shooting of a trumpeter swan at Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area have not been released.

Because trumpeter swans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act the investigation has been turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Tim Santel, the USFWS law enforcement officer for Illinois, said he has not yet received information on the case.

Chris McGinness, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources site superintendent at Mermet Lake, said initial reports indicate three hunters, occupying two different blinds shot at the swan.

“Apparently two blinds shot at it,” McGinness said. “I don’t know who shot the bird. From my understanding this will be turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“We found the bird. We retrieved the bird and it’s up in the evidence locker now.”

IDNR spokesperson Chris McCloud confirmed that the agency has turned over the investigation to the USFWS.

McGinness said the hunters claimed they thought the bird was a snow goose. According to the National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to North American Birds, the average wingspan of a snow goose is 31 inches. By contrast, a trumpeter swan’s wingspan is about seven feet, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“They were pretty inexperienced hunters,” McGinness said. “I told them there are consequences to your actions, whether it was a mistake or not.”

Santel said the IDNR turning cases over to the USFWS that involve the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is routine. Federal penalties are typically harsher.

The maximum penalty for shooting a bird protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a $15,000 fine and six months in prison.

McGinness said this is the first year that trumpeter swans have visited Mermet, although tundra swans have previously been spotted. He said the birds have used the area since before Thanksgiving.