Two men confessed to shooting and killing an eagle near Manistee on Saturday.
The shooters allegedly thought it was a goose. The eagle was taken to the Wings of Wonder rehabilitation center in Leelanau where it was euthanized.
The DNR gave the case to the Manistee County Prosecutor, who will determine if charges will be filed against the two shooters.
Bald eagles are protected under federal law.
Penalties for killing one can range from a $5,000 fine to two years in prison.