A reminder from the folks at the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources: You cannot shoot or injure birds of prey at any time, for any reason. The message comes after the DNR found a wounded hawk in Lincoln County.

Here’s the full post from the DNR:

On March 9, Natural Resources Police Sgt. Gary Amick and Officer Joseph Reed responded to a report of an injured hawk in Lincoln County. The officers located and took possession of the hawk that had lost an eye to what was believed to be a gunshot. Officer Reed transported the hawk to Animal Care Associates in Charleston for medical attention.

Later that day, NRPO Reed received an X-ray of the hawk and was informed of a pellet sized object located in its head which indicated it had likely been shot by a shotgun. The next day, Reed and Sr. Trooper Corey Lewis of the W.Va. State Police traveled to the suspect’s residence, where he admitted to shooting the hawk.

The W.Va. DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to remind the public that birds of prey cannot be shot at, injured, or killed at any time for any reason. If you have an injured bird of prey, contact the DNR or Three Rivers Avian Center to arrange for transportation and medical attention.

The W.Va. DNR would like to thank Sr. Trp. Lewis of the WVSP and Animal Care Associates employees for their help in this case. Charges are pending.