I usually take the back roads driving into work as much as poss. to avoid the idiots on the highway (unless snow prevents it) ... I can take my time and look for 'critters', yesterday in a large Oak over one of the roads sat a immature Bald Eagle, I have also seen Ospreys along the same road ...
Goose and duck hunters definitely not to blame, the feds banned them from using lead shot nationwide decades ago.
even for Doves and Turkey and upland game on certain state/fed. areas only NON-TOXIC shot can be used ...been like that for years now ..
Lead accumulates and does not break down, if we see eagles with high lead we should be seeing ducks and geese with lead issues.
Another population recovery, the channel catfish in the Mississippi between Elk River and St Cloud MN. I lived not far from the Mississippi near Monticello. I fished the river a lot, many times a week. We caught suckers and carp sallies and an occasional walleye, around 1987 we started catching catfish now there is a healthy population and the water is much cleaner and clearer now than when I was a kid.
I guess it’s possible that ducks and geese get shot and eaten before they have a chance to really accumulate a-lot. Eagles probably live longer since chicken farmers are the only folks who get to hunt them.
Sounds like y’all need to send some people down south for some training on the “3-S” wildlife management program.
ANYONE that kills an Eagle, needs a minimum 10 yrs in a Super Max facility with bubba + the fine, hell, that goes for any Raptor ... .... IMO .. however ... Penalties for taking and killing a bald eagle include a maximum two years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for a felony conviction, according to FWS. https://greatlakesecho.org/2019/11/...though-no-longer-endangered-is-still-illegal/ The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state laws make it illegal to kill, capture, possess (actual bird or parts of, including feathers), harass, or harm any bird of prey. Violations are punishable by fines of $5,000 to $250,000 or more, jail sentences, confiscation of possessions, and revocation of licenses. I would turn anyone in doing so in a heartbeat ...