More than 300 species of migratory birds have been killed legally across the U.S. since 2011 to protect a wide range of business activities. Depredation permits, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, allow golf courses, vineyards, aquaculture facilities, and others to kill birds otherwise protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, one of the U.S.’s first-ever environmental protection laws. Written and reported with Tom Knudson.

Read the full story online at Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting.