said. "There's no other way they can get rid of it. It could
have eventually killed her."
Finch would rather trappers follow the laws so they
don't catch raptors, but hopes they do turn the bird over
to them if they do. In 39 years of treating birds, she has
had to euthanize several eagles and other raptors that had
been caught in traps. She treated some she suspects were
caught by individuals who were trapping over exposed bait,
knew it was a violation and that reporting the injured bird
would lead to a ticket so they simply released it despite its
injuries. "We've had birds come in that were skin and bones
that were released from a trap with their leg hanging by a
thread," Finch said. "It's much more humane to put them
down at that point than to have them starve to death. But
sometimes injuries look worse than they actually are."
Thome also hopes to not have to free another raptor from
an illegal trap. "Trapping is an important part of wildlife
management with a heritage that should be passed down
to younger generations," he said. "Promoting the trapping
heritage using ethics and proper rules and regulations will
keep the sport around for others for years to come."
Grant won't be catching another eagle. He said he knows
all of the rules now. So do his parents. "This was a learning
lesson for us all," Karla said. "We should have read through
the regulations better." ■
Grant Jensen watches as the eagle he unintentionally and
illegally trapped is released by Conservation Officer Mike Thome
on the family's farm near Cozad.
DECEMBER 2014 • NEBRASKAland 39
Finch, Stander
and Commission
Conservation Offi cer
Dina Barta work to
capture the eagle from
the fl ight pen prior to
its release.
PHOTO
BY
ERIC
FOWLER
PHOTO
BY
ERIC
FOWLER
