A Virginia duck hunter who killed over 20 bald eagles and hawks received just one day in jail, sparking debate over wildlife protections and penalties for crimes against America’s national bird.
At a Glance
- William Custis Smith was sentenced to one day in jail, fined $9,800, and given two years probation for killing over 20 bald eagles and hawks
- Smith used the banned pesticide carbofuran to poison fish heads and set up pole traps to kill birds preying on ducks at his property
- The hunter admitted to knowing his actions were illegal but claimed he was justified in protecting the ducks he was attracting
- The case followed a two-year investigation by Virginia Conservation Police and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Smith’s actions violated the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which can impose fines up to $100,000
Virginia Duck Hunter Faces Justice for Eagle Killings
Virginia authorities have concluded a two-year investigation into the deliberate killing of protected birds of prey in Hallwood, Virginia. William Custis Smith, a duck hunter who admitted to poisoning over 20 juvenile and mature bald eagles and hawks, received a sentence that included one day in jail, a $9,800 fine, 24 months of probation, and 50 hours of community service. The case began during the 2023-24 waterfowl season after officials received tips about suspicious bird deaths on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, leading to a detailed investigation by Virginia Conservation Police Master Officer Brian Bratton.
Smith had constructed a waterfowl impoundment on his property to attract ducks for hunting purposes. When hawks and eagles began preying on these ducks, Smith took matters into his own hands by deploying illegal methods to eliminate what he considered competition. During their investigation, authorities discovered a “pole trap” on Smith’s property along with the carcass of a juvenile bald eagle. Laboratory tests later confirmed the bird had been poisoned with carbofuran, a highly toxic pesticide banned in granular form since 1991 and in liquid form since 2009.
Virginia hunter gets single day in prison for killing 20 juvenile bald eagles and hawks in poisoning scheme: authorities https://t.co/UFxmmGdkU8 pic.twitter.com/dnfcu3L8Nc
— New York Post (@nypost) June 4, 2025
Deadly Methods and Environmental Impact
The investigation revealed Smith’s methodical approach to killing the protected birds. He used fish heads laced with carbofuran, a pesticide so toxic that birds typically die with their prey still clutched in their talons. Smith also set up pole traps where birds would land and become ensnared. In one particularly disturbing case documented by surveillance cameras, a trapped bird struggled for hours before Smith beat it to death. These actions violated multiple state and federal wildlife protection laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Carbofuran has been responsible for the deaths of over a million birds in the United States, according to wildlife officials. The Chesapeake Bay region has experienced multiple incidents of carbofuran poisoning affecting eagles and other wildlife in recent years. Conservation experts emphasize that apex predators like eagles and hawks play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of other species, making Smith’s actions particularly harmful to the broader ecosystem.
— TheJFKReport (@TheJFKReport) June 4, 2025
Legal Consequences and Conservation Victory
Smith pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges, including Unlawful Taking of a Bald Eagle and Unlawful Use of a Pesticide. While the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act allows for penalties of up to $100,000 and a year of imprisonment, Smith received a notably lighter sentence. Officials noted that Smith was previously known to authorities for waterfowl violations, showing a pattern of disregard for wildlife regulations. During the investigation, Smith admitted to killing the birds and surrendered his remaining poison to authorities.
Despite the relatively light sentence compared to maximum penalties, conservation authorities consider the case a significant victory for wildlife protection. The investigation involved cooperation between the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with the U.S. Attorney ultimately prosecuting the case. Officials expressed relief at having prevented further harm to the bird population in an area near several protected wildlife zones on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
