Bear Killed in Self-Defense – Outdoors – Chattanoogan.com

Bear Killed in Self-Defense

posted October 24, 2008

A deer hunter in Harlan County, Kentucky has been under investigation after he killed a black bear with his muzzleloader. However investigators have ruled that the hunter was justified shooting the animal in self defense after the animal came too close to his hunting blind last Saturday morning.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer Shane Amburgey said, “The bear came right to his blind and almost stuck his head inside when he shot it. We found blood from the bear within a foot of the blind.”

No charges were filed in the case.

Another hunter at the scene, 31-year-old James Forester of Cumberland, shot the bear a second time, in an attempt to protect his friend. Investigators found the dead 250-pound male black bear approximately 700-800 yards away. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. Oct. 18 on Black Mountain, located near Gap Branch in northeastern Harlan County.

Wildlife Biologist Steven Dobey, black bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said bears rarely approach people in such a direct manner unless they smell food. Amburgey said Koger did not have food inside the blind with him.

“It is likely this bear was investigating the blind out of pure curiosity,” Dobey said  Click link below for full story!

10/24/2008 – Bear Killed in Self-Defense – Outdoors – Chattanoogan.com.