Virginia Hunter Sentenced for Killing Birds of Prey
Authorities in Virginia revealed that a hunter has been lightly punished for killing over 20 young hawks and bald eagles, which preyed on ducks during migration season.
William Castis Smith received a one-day jail sentence and was fined $9,800 in 2023 after confessing to the unlawful killing of these birds, often referred to as “boys” in his case. This information surfaced through court documents.
Brian Bratton, a master officer with the Virginia State Conservation Police, mentioned that Smith was an avid duck hunter attempting to attract more ducks to his area. “He was killing the hawks and the eagles, which also meant a lot of ducks flocked to his reservoir,” Bratton explained.
According to the Virginia Wildlife Resources, Smith used a pesticide called carbofuran—banned since 2008 for its toxicity—and set pole traps to lure migrating raptors.
During the investigation, initiated by anonymous tips, authorities found a “fresh corpse of a bald eagle” on Smith’s property on the Del Marva Peninsula. They seized the body as evidence.
To gather more evidence, agents placed a “plot watcher camera” near the illegal traps, capturing footage of several birds being ensnared. One bird supposedly struggled for over seven hours before succumbing to Smith’s trap.
Autopsy results confirmed the presence of carbofuran in the eagles, which acts rapidly and frequently proves lethal. Bratton noted, “This particular poison works very quickly; nine out of ten times, the bird dies right after consuming it.”
Smith admitted to the deaths of more than 20 bald eagles and hawks, primarily of the red-shoulder and red-tail varieties. He also provided samples of the pesticide to the authorities, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR).
Violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act can lead to hefty penalties—a first offense could result in a $100,000 fine and up to a year in jail, as noted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A second offense is categorized as a felony and carries more severe consequences.
Smith faced charges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, ultimately pleading guilty to five misdemeanors related to the illegal capture of birds, unlawful intake of migratory birds, and unauthorized pesticide use. His plea agreement included the $9,800 fine, 24 months of probation, 50 hours of community service, and the single day of imprisonment.
Hailing from Hallwood, Virginia, Smith lives near several protected areas, including the Suczys Wildlife Management Area, Mutton Hank Fen Natural Area Reserve, Chincoteague National Wildlife Reserve, and Walfs Island National Wildlife Reserve.
As of now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this case.
