Golfer Kills a Hawk

While filming a TV show about golf, Tripp Isenhour hit golf balls at a red-shouldered hawk because it distracted him during a shot. One of the balls hit its target.

The 39-year-old player, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, became angry while filming “Shoot Like A Pro” on Dec. 12 at the Grand Cypress Golf Club when a squawking red-shouldered hawk roughly 300 yards away forced another take.

He drove closer to the bird in his golf cart and starting hitting balls at it. The bird didn’t move and Isenhour gave up and drove away.

Isenhour started again when the hawk moved within about 75 yards, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Brian Baine indicated in a report.

Isenhour allegedly said, “I’ll get him now,” and aimed for the hawk.

“About the sixth ball came very near the bird’s head, and (Isenhour) was very excited that it was so close,” Baine wrote.

A few shots later, witnesses said he hit the hawk. The bird, protected as a migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.

Red-shouldered Hawk is a species of conservation concern in many states because of habitat loss and resulting population declines. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the killing of any native wild bird. Isenhour has been charged with violating that law and animal cruelty laws.