Deer hunter who killed bear won’t be charged

Sow twice climbed tree he was sitting in
Michael A. Sawyers
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Tue Sep 27, 2011, 09:46 PM EDT

MCHENRY — A deer hunter who used his crossbow to kill a bear in Garrett County will not be charged, according to Sgt. Art Windemuth of the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

The incident took place Sept. 20 on private land one-quarter of a mile west of U.S. Route 219 in the area of Will O’ The Wisp, according to Windemuth.

“The hunter told officers he was in a tree hunting over a bait pile when the sow (165 pounds) and two cubs came to the bait. He said the sow climbed the tree he was in, but went back to the bait after he hollered at it,” Windemuth said.

The bear once more climbed the tree, coming within a few feet of the hunter who feared for his life and shot the bruin, according to Windemuth.

“The hunter immediately called the wildlife office in Cumberland. Officers were dispatched and found the bear, which was dead, and the cubs had left the area,” Windemuth said. “All the evidence, including the angle of the arrow in the bear, substantiated the hunter’s account.”

Windemuth said the matter was presented to the Garrett County state’s attorney, who chose not to charge the hunter.

Harry Spiker of the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service, said the dead bear was untagged and did not wear a radio collar. “So we had no history on this bear,” Spiker said.

“The hunter described the cubs as being small. We believe if cubs make it to July 1 they can survive on their own. They might still be nursing some, but they are also eating solid foods and know enough at that point to forage on their own. They would probably weigh about 40 pounds each now.”

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com

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