Teenage Hunters Arrested After Shooting Down Sandhill Crane In Oakland County

ADDISON TWP. (WWJ) - Two teens were arrested after they allegedly shot down a federally protected sandhill crane in Addison Township.

Oakland County Sheriff's officials say a homeowner called police after hearing a gunshot and seeing the bird fall from the sky.

Deputies responding to the scene, in the 2600 block of Noble Rd., allegedly found the 18 and 19-year-old suspects to be in possession of 18 dead ducks and dead crane, along with marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia.

The two teens, from Oxford Township and Lapeer County, were issued misdemeanor violations for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

With assistance from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, an investigation confirmed the bird in question was a protected species. The DNR issued violations for taking waterfowl over bait, over limit mallards, over limit hen mallard, over limit ducks and possession of federally protected species.

The suspects' names were not immediately released.