Texas man faces prison time for shooting a bald eagle. What hunters should know
A Texas man could face prison time after pleading guilty to shooting a bald eagle, a protected animal under federal law.
According to a May news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old Santos Guerrero shot the bird at his home in October 2024, leaving it so badly injured that it later had to be euthanized.
Guerrero faces up to a year in federal prison and a $100,000 fine when he’s sentenced on July 30.
The case raises a broader question about Texas wildlife laws: Which animals are protected from being hunted? Can you really go to jail for shooting the wrong one?
Here’s what to know.
Which animals are protected in Texas?
A protected animal is a species that can’t legally be hunted, possessed or killed without authorization under state or federal law.
Many protected animals are listed as threatened or endangered, but some continue receiving legal protections even after their populations recover.
For example, although bald eagles were removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007, they remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Texas also protects a variety of other wildlife, including bats, hawks, owls, whooping cranes and all species of sea turtles, according to TPWD.
Black bears are also protected in Texas. In a Facebook post, TPWD game wardens highlighted a case involving a 300-pound black bear that was mistakenly shot by a hunter who though it was a feral hog.
“When hunting, always be certain of your target. You are responsible for every shot you take, even an accident,” the agency wrote.
What penalties can people face for killing protected wildlife?
According to TPWD, wildlife violations can carry misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties ranging from fines as low as $25 to $10,000.
The punishment doesn’t necessarily stop with the criminal case. TPWD can also seek civil restitution, which requires you to pay for the loss of the animal.
In the black bear case highlighted by game wardens, the agency said the hunter received a Class C misdemeanor citation for taking a protected species and noted that the civil restitution value of a black bear in Texas is $12,407.50.
Failure to pay civil restitution can prevent you from obtaining future hunting licenses, permits or tags.
In some cases, hunters can also lose their hunting privileges for up to five years. Wildlife officers may seize equipment used during the violation, including firearms.
