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Press Release

Huxley Man Convicted of Violating Migratory Bird Treaty Act

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal magistrate judge in Des Moines convicted a Huxley man today for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by intentionally striking two Canada Geese with his vehicle.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at the bench trial, on March 3, 2026, Wyatt Christian Greenfield, 19, knowingly and intentionally struck two Canada Geese with his vehicle near NE 70th Avenue in Ankeny, Iowa. Greenfield was driving his truck east bound and accelerated and swerved to strike a Canada Goose in the westbound lane and then swerved back to the eastbound lane to strike a second Canada Goose.

The Canada Goose is a migratory bird protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service maintains a list of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Greenfield faces a maximum sentence of up to six months imprisonment or a five-year term of probation, up to a one-year term of supervised release, and up to a $15,000 fine. A date for sentencing has not yet been set.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Contact

MacKenzie Tubbs
Public Information Officer 
515-473-9300
USAIAS.PAO@usdoj.gov   
 

Updated July 24, 2026

Topics
Environment
Wildlife