A local resident has had a financial penalty imposed as a result of shooting a bear with a bow and arrow.
The shot, which did not kill the animal, was aimed at a foraging animal on the evening of Monday, November 4. The Conservation Officer service subsequently destroyed the bear.
“It’s certainly not an action we condone,” Conservation Officer Ben Beetlestone told the Castlegar News. Although he was not present at the time the arrow was let go, it was decided an infraction citation was called for.
“It’s hard to speak to what someone’s perception is of a situation,” he explained. “I don’t feel that it was a life or death situation. I don’t feel it was the best option the individual could have taken.”
The CO closed with the statement that bear incidents have been down considerably this year, “from what we normally deal with.” He feels residents have been acting more responsibly as far as garbage is concerned, and natural food sources for bears have been more plentiful this year.
