Loons killed on Beaver Lake, $8,000 reward offered for information

TONASKET – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) police are asking the public for any information about an incident in which someone shot and killed two adult common loons and their chicks on Beaver Lake in the Okanogan Highlands.

Non-governmental organizations are offering an $8,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

The incident occurred over the weekend of June 22, when WDFW officers responded to a report of several dead loons near Beaver Lake in the Colville National Forest. With the help of several concerned community members, officers recovered two adult loons and a chick. A second dead chick was reportedly seen in the lake earlier in the day. Several witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the area the night before.

The shootings occurred at the former Beaver Lake Campground on the southeast end of the lake. Witnesses at the campground on the northwest end of the lake reported hearing gunshots coming from that direction, according to Columbiana, an online environmental magazine based in Chesaw.

“Common loons are one of the most beloved and admired wildlife species in North America. Getting rid of them spoils the joy of wildlife watching. A 2022 survey of recreational activities in Washington found that 6.2 million people watched wildlife, 1.2 million fished, and 0.3 million hunted,” write Daniel Poleschook, Jr. and Virginia R. Poleschook, field scientists at the Biodiversity Research Institute, in an article in Columbiana (https://www.columbiana.org/beaver-lake-loons.html).

The community has come together to raise and offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths of the loons at Beaver Lake. The current reward is $8,000, but contributions are still being accepted. Money orders or personal checks can be made to Columbiana, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that will administer the fund. Mail to: Columbiana, 2055 Chesaw Rd., Oroville, WA 98844. Call for more information: 509-560-0742.

“The adult male shot had been the territorial male at Beaver Lake for 11 seasons since 2013 and had fathered 14 pups during that time. He was banded as 0689-09467 by biologists and field scientists from the Biodiversity Research Institute, who were assisted by biologists from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Forest Service on July 23, 2023. This was only the second season for the territorial female who had produced two chicks in 2023 and again in 2024,” the Poleschooks wrote.

WDFW encourages anyone who may have information relevant to this incident to contact WDFW at 877-933-9847, email WDFW’s Poaching Tip email address, or text 847411. The public can also report online at WDFW’s website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Unlawfully killing a common loon is a misdemeanor (RCW 77.15.130.c.ii) punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to $500 per violation. In addition, a fine of $2,000 per bird may be imposed upon conviction.

Columbiana, Conservation Northwest, Delta Waterfowl Eastern Washington Chapter, First Hunt Foundation, Northwest Swan Conservation, Washington Waterfowl Association (WWA) and the Seattle and Southwest Chapters of WWA are contributing to the reward.

The common loon (Gavia immer) is listed as a sensitive species in Washington state and is protected in the United States as a non-hunted migratory species under federal and state laws. There are only 12 known breeding pairs of common loons nesting this year in northeastern Washington, and an unknown but smaller number of breeding pairs west of the Cascade Mountains. According to WDFW, the primary threats to common loons at nesting lakes are nest disturbance, lead poisoning, and poaching.

“The population of nesting common loon pairs in Washington state has been slowly increasing from four known pairs in 1995. This increase is likely the result of focused, collaborative conservation work between WDFW, the U.S. Forest Service, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Biodiversity Research Institute, dedicated volunteers and many other partners,” the agency said.

WDFW Police strive to protect public safety and preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities for fish and wildlife.

The authors of the article in the journal Columbiana write: “Common loons are very slow breeders and sensitive to nesting disturbances. Their breeding population has been extirpated from northern California, Oregon and Idaho, while small populations remain in Montana and Washington in the northwest, at the southwestern edge of their breeding range in North America.”

Since 1995, they have documented more than 120 known loon mortalities in Washington State. Five fatalities involving gunshot wounds have been documented during this time period, involving five adult loons and three chicks. The current small population of breeding pairs of loons in Washington State has increased very slowly, from four pairs in 1995, when the authors began researching, developing conservation recommendations and actions, and compiling data on the species, to approximately 20 breeding pairs today.

The common loon breeds very slowly and is sensitive to nesting disturbance. Its breeding population has been extirpated from northern California, Oregon, and Idaho, while small populations remain in Montana and Washington in the northwest, at the southwestern edge of its breeding range in North America.

The authors maintained a list of over 120 known loon mortalities in Washington State since 1995. There have been five known shooting mortalities during this time period, involving five adult loons and three chicks. A $2,000 fine is prescribed for anyone shooting a loon in Washington State, as specified in Fish and Wildlife Code RCW 77.15.130. The total fine for this incident will be $8,000. A cash reward was used to arrest and prosecute one of these previous cases.

A growing financial reward is also being offered in the case for the recent mass shootings of the Beaver Lake Loon family.