The Fish and Game Department wants the public’s help to find one or more loon poachers.
Two loons were shot this week, in different parts of the state. The first bird was shot in Dover, and was found near the Cocheco river. That loon survived and is expected to be released back into the wild. The second was shot in Gilford, near Varney point, and died.
The attacks were both reported on Tuesday.
“We’re just hoping people that people will come forward if they have heard any shots in those particular areas in Dover and in Gilford in the last couple of days,” says Lieutenant Heidi Murphy with Fish and Game, “even if they think it’s unrelated.”
Fish and Game is not releasing the type of weapon used in the incidents.
Loons are listed as threatened in New Hampshire and loon poachers can be fined up to $1200 dollars and serve up to a year in jail.