Saturday, June 18, 2011
An owner of a Hyde County pheasant hunting operation has admitted to killing
a golden eagle and about 20 hawks since 2008 to protect his business.
Mike Solberg, who runs the Grand Lodge in Highmore, reached an agreement
with federal prosecutors last week to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of
unlawfully taking a golden eagle and unlawfully taking migratory birds.
Solberg agreed to pay $10,000 in restitution to the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation and fines of $1,250.
In a signed admission, Solberg said he shot the eagle and hawks to protect
the general pheasant population and those he purchased or raised for his
hunting operation.