I agree with Montana. In your initial post you should have explained what was going on for you to shoot these bats. I think most wouldn't have bashed you like they did.
Also in the case of rabid animals/mammals, they don't behave like they should normally. For example racoons feed at night, if you see one during the day roaming around you can probably guarantee that it is rabid. (won't be foaming at the mouth becasue they have no saliva glands). This is true with all animals that have rabies, they are dying slowly. For this reason I would say that errant behavior for bats would be the same, not flying around looking for insects, but disorientated. Since all North American bats are insect/fruit eaters the rabid ones had to get bit by something rabid. Maybe one of your DNR specialists could tell more.
You did what you thought was right, but not approved by most who read your initial post.
I wouldn't leave because of this, it is a great place and a lot of knowledge is here, you just have to know how to word it right.
Good luck.
David
