CEDAR CITY, Utah, Feb. 28, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — State wildlife officials are requesting the public’s help in boosting their investigation of the shooting of multiple birds of prey in Beaver County.
“Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers are seeking information from the public after several raptor species, including hawks and owls, were illegally killed in southern Utah over the last several months,” the department posted online..
“Between December and February, 11 birds have been shot and killed in and around Manderfield and Greenville in Beaver County.
“Natural Resources officers determined the birds were all killed with a firearm. Some of the birds appeared to have been shot out of their roosts, while others were shot inside of barns.”
Conservation Officer Jeremy Butler said that “based on witness reports, it is believed that individuals are shooting raptors from their resting locations at nighttime, and those involved have even trespassed on private property and shot within close proximity to homes during these incidents.”
All raptors are protected by state and federal regulations, and it is illegal to kill these bird species. The individual involved in killing these birds could face third-degree felony criminal charges.
Anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of these birds or any other wildlife is encouraged to report it to the Utah Division of Law Enforcement in one of the following ways:
- By calling the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337
- The UTDWR Law Enforcement app
- By texting 847411
Anyone with any information regarding this incident can also contact Butler at 435-310-0238. A reward may be available for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible. Requests for confidentiality are respected.
