YOUR COMMENTS

Just wanted to thank all of the responsible hunters out there. I know you outnumber the misfits/accidents.

As far as 'just a bird', our symbols and traditions are what separate us from being a people that celebrates immediate gratification. Should we return to dancing around bonfires and constant crimes of passion? Well, dancing around bonfires is harmless and kinda fun. But we should treasure our civility and symbols of unity.
- cmz, Manchester

Some of the comments are laughable. I hunted for years. You never, ever shoot at something that you are uncertain of. Ever. At the very least, the person that did this was a fool and irresponsible because they couldn't identify what they were shooting at and in the worst case they just wanted to shoot something. In either case they should be fined and not allowed to hunt----ever again. Hunting is not a game.
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft, Me.

Let's clear some things up people:

First of all, the fact that Moose Season was open is an irrelevant fact. The inclusion of this statement reveals that the author knows absolutely NOTHING about hunting. Moose are hunted with a large caliber rifle, muzzleloader or bow/arrow. Rarely would a shotgun be used, and if so, it would mean using a slug. This eagle was shot with a shotgun using BIRDSHOT....tiny little pellets that come out in a pattern that enables a hunter to hit a flying object.

Secondly, if the author had checked her facts she would have also noted that it was pheasant season, grouse season and duck season.

Third, whomever shot this eagle is in no way a "hunter". They are a criminal, a poacher and a slob. The sooner they can be arrested and prosecuted the better.
- Mark, Bedford

Deb from Derry....When someone shoots a gun, it comes with a modecum of responsibility, granted we have the right to CARRY guns but face it, some Gomers really shouldn't have the right to carry ammunition! If it was an accident then there is no reason to worry...but that person, if he knew about it, should have tried to do something. If it were a kid, well then shame on the parents for giving him a gun, and bigger shame for not enforcing responsibility. It comes to mind that our young people may not know of the Bald Eagle's status...and again, shame on us for letting that go unchecked.
Also, this was a young bird, not mature, and most likely still relying on the parent for food, so it would not be preying or hunting...so it would not be anywhere near the true target of the hunter...there goes that theory...perhaps you should watch Animal Planet or Discovery, it is very educational, especially when such a majestic and patrioitic symbol is involved.
Oh, and btw, no one wears FIR gloves, they would prefer FUR, but not since Thinsulate came along...Fur is indeed warm, but man has come a long way since we had to hunt for warmth...it's called L.L.BEAN.

Some people should think before they comment...PLEASE!!!
- Anon, Goffstown

Gee Im not even a liberal, kool aid drinking environmentalist yet I've got more heart than some of the posters on here
- Marie, Hooksett

Good point Bill from Pelham...I know I've never seen a moose or deer fly! I've never looked up in a tree and said...Oh look at Bambi sitting on that branch! So, yes, it may have been an accident, but being an American, knowing it is our greatest symbol, you at least have the responsibility to administer aid or drop it off at a hospital...then leave if you feel like a coward and need to. At least you tried to help...that is if it was really an accident. Oh look...there goes Bullwinkle...he just flew by!!!
Hey hunters...if you can't aim...dont shoot!!!Or even further...you shouldn't even hold a gun!!!
enough said!
- Dee, manchester

Hey look I've been out hunting before mistakes happen, I'm really sorry the bird got hit, without it's distictive markings it could pass easily for a geese or a duck so show some consideration it's not easy on us hunters. It's bad enough the thing got hit but now someone's gotta worry about the Wildlife cops showing up on your doorstep, it's a unsympathetic jungle out there.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

Well no one will ever know for sure if it was an accident or on purpose. It is hunting season and I'd imagine a mistake could happen or being a predator also maybe the eagle went for the same target as the hunter or maybe the eagle was simply in the background of the intended target.

Call in the sleuth’s from PETA so they can put a hunters head on a silver platter and throw blood on a few kids and their parents for wearing fir lined gloves. (sigh)

And Frank I agree there are far more pressing stories to adorn the front page of the news than this.
- Deb, Derry

Frank, get a clue. This is a story and I hope the bird recovers and the shooter is found and brought to court.
- G. paul, Concord

I never understood such a high fine for just having a feather from an eagle.
Let’s keep fines in perspective. It is a bird yes it is a great symbol but still a bird.
I wish home invasions came with a penalty like 100k/1Year in prison.
5 DUIs still cheaper????
- Paul, Milford

If it was hit by shotgun pellets, it wasn't a moose or deer hunter. Up north is upland birds(grouse, patridge) not really duck or goose. My first reaction is a kid borrowing dad's shotgun for target practice unfortunately. Eagles have a pretty distinct way of flying, pretty hard to mistake it for a game bird. Pretty sad situation.
- Andy, Milford

I can not believe the people hurting for Deer that can't hit the side of a barn door.Its a shame to see these guy wounding deer.they could hunt for years before they even shoot there gun.So now when they try to shoot a deer they wound them.why cant they go to a shooting range for a little target practice .Before the season begins.
- Bill _K, Pelham N,H.

Hey Frank, pay attention if you can....

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 to the person or people who provide information leading to a conviction under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which carries a fine of $100,000 and one year in prison."

So Frank, there is the newsworthy part of the story, and it is a serious offense, but apparently you don't care, so skip over it and move on...no need for smart comments....there are some of us that actually have a heart and want to hear about it, it's sad, and after all, they did wait a month to report it, and that person needs to accept their responsibility...it's just like a hit and run, but i guess since it doesn't pertain to you, it's just useless news, huh.
Maybe tomorrow they will report on the world's largest cat...anything beats all the depressing news we have had lately...it doesn't have to be all about murders, stabbings and drugs...sometimes news even happens that's good...I look forward to that.
- Dee, Manchester

Did they burn the American flag afterwards...it may just be a bird, but it is a national symbol. Hopefully this was just an accident, but has to wonder how?
- Mike, Epping

I am with Frank on this one. And front page news to boot. WOW

Dennis, are you seriously equating a damn bird to anything that happens to the economy? Seriously?
- Jeff, Concord

Dennis, I think Frank wrote DARN bird not DAM bird. When the letters are all in lowercase the words look nearly the same darn and dam.
- Sue, New Hampton

I wonder if a hunter mistook the eagle for a moose...duh!

I saw a bald eagle this summer near the Salmon Falls River in Somersworth. When he swooped down to pick something out of the water, the sight was breathtaking. A big thanks to the NH Fish and Game for their efforts.
- Doug, Dover

Frank get a clue it's not just some darn bird it's our national symbol. AND it's a federal crime. Alex the story says it had not matured yet. I would trust the fish and game dept to tell what type of eagle it is.
- dave, goffstown

Dam bird? Frank, you can't even spell properly let alone your indifference to our national emblem. Your "damned" indifference is one good reason we find ourselves in the financial mess we're in today. By the way, you don't happen to be the one who shot that "dam" bird, are you?
- Dennis, Merrimack, NH

An idiot and his gun. Probably shooting anything that moves.

It only takes one to give other more responsible gun owners a bad reputation.
- Jon, Bow

The picture on the home page looks like a Golden Eagle.
- Alex K., Deering, NH

It's so sad that someone would feel the need or want to shoot such a majestic animal that is also a symbol of our country and freedom itself. I hope the person responsible is caught and receives the maximum penalty.

An adult eagle flew over me a couple years ago at the head of the Heritage Trail...I was actually reading the posters that explained why the trail was closed at the time (it closes in the winter so the eagles won't be disturbed). It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen and I'll never forget it.
- Jose H., Manchester, NH

This is news really? There are far more prudent things to talk about than a darn bird.
- Frank, Manchester