Idaho woman convicted of killing falcon to save duck

WILDLIFE — A North Idaho court has ruled that it’s best to let predators have their prey, at least in the case of protected falcons.

A woman who was found guilty in connection to the death of a hunter’s falcon will not have her misdemeanor conviction dismissed, nor will she have to pay restitution, according to a report in the Coeur d’Alene Press. Judge James Stow ruled Monday that Patti MacDonald’s conviction for pursuing a protected bird would remain.

Prosecutors argued that MacDonald fractured the skull of the 8-year-old falcon named Hornet on Jan. 7 trying to save a mallard. Both birds died that day.

MacDonald is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28.