Michigan Man to Serve Time for Killing Wildlife

In a rare event, a Michigan man convicted of killing wolves and bald eagles in Upper Peninsula of Michigan will serve ninety days in jail and permanently loose his hunting license. Kurt Duncan made a plea deal in the Chicasaw County court after pleading guilty to numerous wildlife crimes including killing 18 wolves and three bald eagles, both protected species. Duncan told the court the eagles killings were not intentional and that he was trapping coyotes when, "things got out of control". The head of Michigan's wildlife protection agency said Duncan's case was a historical precedent that he hoped would serve as a deterance to other poachers. He is required to pay $27,000 for the animals illegally taken and $9,240 in court fees and costs. The hunting ban applies in 48 states that are members of an interstate compact. All of the crimes he pleaded to are misdemeanors. The prosecutor in the case said lawmakers should consider stiffer penalties for wildlife crimes.