"There are state statutes, as well as federal, against killing most birds that are protected, whether they are game birds or not, but migratory birds and especially hawks, eagles and raptors birds like that are all federally protected," Bersche said. "Also, the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service has statutes against it as well. It is actually two different crimes in one. State wise, and of course there is federal, it's totaling in the several of thousands of dollars is what we are talking. Based on what happened, there could be others like, shooting from a county road. Stuff like that as well, but as far as taking the bird illegally, we're talking several thousands of dollars plus several thousands of dollars paying the state and the federal government back for that bird."