GEORGE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police are requesting the public's assistance in identifying individuals involved in the shooting of a common loon and over 20 coots on the Columbia River near Sunland Estates due west of George.  

The incident was discovered Nov. 23 during a routine patrol near Quilomene Bay on the upriver end and Scammon Landing at the downriver end.   

Officers located the carcass of a common loon approximately 11 miles upriver from Vantage, showing signs of shotgun wounds in the head and neck.  

Subsequently, they found 20 dead coots and one wounded coot around 7.25 miles upriver of Vantage. An inspection revealed that small shotgun pellets were responsible for the injuries — matching within all the birds. 

The shooting is presumed to have occurred on the evening of Nov. 22 or the morning of Nov. 23, likely involving a boat. WDFW Police are seeking information on any suspects, as well as any associated boats, trucks or trailers parked at local boat launches during that time frame. 

The common loon, listed as a state-sensitive species in Washington, is protected under state and federal laws. There are less than two dozen known breeding pairs of common loons nesting this year in northeastern Washington.  

The WDFW encourages anyone with information to contact them at 360-902-2936 or visit the WDFW website for further details.  

Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward or bonus points for special permit hunting opportunities.