I seldom see more than one around my pond or a fight brakes out. I find that if I put up a bright colored string like masons line it will frustrate them and they move on. The key for me is to place it in the water about a foot deep and a foot above the water. A stake every 10 feet or so and they leave. I do this every year to protect my spawning Pumpkinseeds.

I know of another fellow who shot one and a warden caught him. He said he was just trying to feed his family. The warden said he would let him off with a warning but he shouldn't eat any more of them. The warden then said I've never eaten one, what do they taste like? The fellow said "oh kind of like Bald Eagle".