Hart was charged in November with a violation of the Eagle Protection Act, after two witnesses reported the shooting to Alaska State Troopers. The Eagle Protection Act is a federal law which prohibits the wounding, hunting, capturing or killing of bald and golden eagles. After being contacted by investigators, Hart cooperated and agreed to plead guilty to shooting the eagle. Based on the agreement, Hart was sentenced to two years probation, 150 hours of community service, loss of hunting privileges for one year, forfeiture of the rifle used to shoot the eagle, successful completion of alcohol abuse counseling and pay a $1,500.00 fine.
The two witnesses in this case will receive a reward, as provided for under the Eagle Protection Act, for providing information and other evidence which led authorities in identifying and prosecuting Hart.
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement, and the Alaska Department of Public Safety
