The Sowinski Files: Four-year probe, one (maybe) poisoned eagle

Part 1: For years, DNR and federal agents planted dead animals, chased gossip from a diner, used an undercover agent and video surveillance in the woods—and reaped nothing that wasn’t circumstantial

The DNR spent years and tens of thousands of dollars searching for poisoned bald eagles on the Sowinski potato farm in northern Wisconsin. They found one probably poisoned bald eagle—which, if poisoned, might have been incidental—among seven dead ones, one of which the DNR planted.

First in a special investigative series

Author’s note: As promised for t…