NH Peregrine Falcon Shot In Salem; $1,000 Reward Offered

SALEM, NH — A rare peregrine falcon was shot and killed in Salem last month and New Hampshire Fish and Game officials are asking the public's help finding the shooter. The bird is a threatened species and it is against state law to hunt them.

A 6-year-old male peregrine was found dead of a small-caliber gunshot wound to its breast at a Salem residence on Twin Brook Avenue May 5, Fish and Game officials said Wednesday. The bird was likely shot in the immediate area.

Peregrine falcons rarely visit Southern New Hampshire — their main habitat is in Northern New Hampshire in and around the White Mountains.

Fish and Game officials said they have no leads so far in the Salem case. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-344-4262 or make a report online at nhogt.org.

Fish and Game provided a photo of the shot Salem bird:

Lead photo credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images