A 66-year-old Clark County man has been charged with federal crimes after law enforcement officers found a dead bald eagle with two shotgun pellets in its brain near Brush Prairie, Washington, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
Federal Charges Filed in Clark County Bald Eagle Shooting
Benjamin G. Allen faces charges of violating the Bald and Gold Eagle Protection Act and unlawfully killing a migratory bird, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Both offenses are misdemeanors stemming from an incident on February 5, 2026. U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife officers were dispatched to the rural community of Brush Prairie after someone reported hearing a gunshot. Investigators discovered the dead eagle with its head stained red with blood. A subsequent veterinary examination confirmed the bird died from shotgun trauma to the brain, according to federal prosecutors.
Potential Penalties Under the Bald and Gold Eagle Protection Act
According to the U.S. The second charge for unlawfully killing a migratory bird carries up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Investigators noted that Allen kept chickens not far from where the carcass was discovered. BackYardChickens.com notes that while eagles prefer fish and carrion due to their superior eyesight and powerful talons, they will target free-ranging chickens given the opportunity.
Multi-Agency Wildlife Investigations and Raptor Protection
Fish and Wildlife Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Webcams operated by organizations like Friends of Big Bear Valley continue to capture milestones like young bald eagles taking their first flights in California, underscoring public interest in bird conservation alongside enforcement actions against illegal takings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What federal laws protect bald eagles in the United States?
Bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Gold Eagle Protection Act as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, both of which prohibit shooting, poisoning, or otherwise harming the birds.
What penalties does Benjamin G. Allen face?
According to the U.S.
Which agencies investigated the Brush Prairie incident?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife investigated the case.