Last December, Tripp Isenhour was shooting his film "Golf Like A Pro" at the Grand Cypress Golf Club when a squawking red-shouldered hawk disrupted the film shoot more than once, causing them to have to re-shoot some scenes. According to reports, the golfer then decided to make a game of hitting a ball at the hawk, first from 300 yards away, then from 75 yards. The 10th ball Isenhour hit killed the endangered hawk.
The bird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Isenhour is facing 15 months in jail plus $1,500 in fines on two misdemeanor charges.
According to the AP, Isenhour issued a statement saying he was only trying to scare the bird away and is mortified that the bird died. He was formally charged Wednesday.
Definitely a lesson for golf tourists worldwide. A map of the golf course is embedded after the jump. ]]>