Tripp Isenhour could be facing charges after an animal rights group called on the PGA Tour to punish him for killing a hawk with a golf shot.

The 39-year-old player, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, killed the bird after becoming frustrated with its persistent squawking during the filming of his television show Shoot Like A Pro. The incident happened on December 12 at Isenhour's home course, the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are now urging the PGA to launch a full investigation.

After becoming angry with the red-shouldered hawk, Isenhour is reported to have driven his golf cart to within 300 metres of the bird before he starting to hit shots at it. However, the bird failed to move and the American gave up and drove away. When the noise started again Isenhour is reported to have moved to within 75 metres before allegedly saying: "I'll get him now."

The details of the incident are outlined in a report compiled by Brian Baine, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer. He added: "About the sixth ball came very near [to] the bird's head, and [Isenhour] was very excited that it was so close."

Witnesses says a few shots later he struck the bird, which then fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.

Dale Bartlett, the HSUS's deputy manager for animal cruelty issues, feels the PGA must act. "Because of the high profile nature of this case, the PGA needs to take steps to address its interest and to make it clear that they don't condone animal cruelty," he said, adding he hoped to contact the PGA Tour on Friday to discuss the issue.

Isenhour was charged on Wednesday with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, crimes that carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 (£745) in fines.

However, Isenhour, who is playing the Nationwide tour this season after losing his PGA Tour card last year, has now apologised, claiming he was trying to scare the hawk away.

"As soon as this happened, I was mortified and extremely upset and continue to be upset," he said. "I want to let everyone know there was neither any malice nor deliberate intent whatsoever to hit or harm the hawk. I was trying to simply scare it into flying away." The bird was buried at the golf course and later dug up by Florida investigators.

Although that incident was not captured on camera, here is a clip of another golfer hitting a memorable birdie.