DOVER PLAINS – A Dover resident has been cited by the State DEC for illegally shooting a black bear after allegedly lying about why he shot the large animal. The man was issued several tickets for the April 22, 2023 incident in the Town of Dover.
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a report of gunshots and arrived at the scene to witness the man dragging the black bear. The deputies contacted State Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Kevin Wamsley who responded to conduct an investigation.
The homeowner provided Wamsley with a narrative of the events saying that the bear attacked the homeowner’s dog forcing the man to shoot the bear, but ECO Wamsley said the statement “did not match the physical evidence located at the scene.”
Wamsley continued the investigation and subsequently, the homeowner confessed, admitting that his dog had chased the bear while the man followed the two, shooting the bear. After the lengthy investigation and confession, Wamsley cited the man for multiple offenses including taking a bear out of season, illegal take of protected wildlife, and hunt/take protected animal without a license.
ECO Wamsley confiscated the bear and preserved portions as evidence. The remaining portions were donated to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program run by the Federation of Dutchess County Fish and Game Clubs. After a thorough inspection by the Federation, it was determined the remaining meat could not be used by the program. The Hunters Helping the Hungry food program takes in donated wild game, such as venison and pheasants, which they process and then distribute the meat to local food kitchens that serve hot meals to those in need.
Members of the Federation told Mid-Hudson News that the black bear was the largest they had ever seen in Dutchess County, adding that the animal was estimated to weigh nearly 700 pounds. Female black bears typically weigh between 90 and 300 pounds while males weigh between 150 and 500 pounds.
