Athens Banner-Herald The death of a bald eagle that was shot in Oglethorpe County in late January has triggered an outpouring of sadness and even anger over what a game warden called a “malicious” crime. “My phone has been flooded by people and hunters saying why would someone shoot a bald eagle,” state Department of Natural Resources Ranger Phillip Nelson said. “In my 40-something years of life, I’ve never heard of someone trying to shoot a bald eagle.” The death has also affected a man who spends his time studying raptors, and who rushed the wounded bird for medical attention.