New Jersey man faces criminal charges after allegedly killing black bear

A New Jersey man has been charged with a crime after he killed a bear in his yard. The man claimed he only killed the bear because he believed it was about to attack one of his friends and his dog. He has since been charged with a crime after police found the bear’s body.

The 29-year-old used a bow and arrow to take down the bear. The injured animal crossed the street and eventually died when it wandered onto someone else’s property. The man has been charged with several crimes including killing a black bear during a closed season, possessing a nocked arrow within 150 of an occupied dwelling and other charges related to the death. In addition, he also faces charges of possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a felony.

Police stated that it was the first time a bear was killed in the area outside of the regular hunting season. State law requires hunters to have a black bear hunting permit in the area where they are hunting, and each hunter is limited to only one bear per season. The man was arrested after the incident but has since posted a $5,000 bail.

The man may claim that he was in fear for his friend’s safety when he killed this bear, but New Jersey law still prohibits this activity. He will now be required to answer to the charges against him in a New Jersey court of law.

Being charged with a crime like this can be surprising to someone who may have only been acting to defend loves ones. Those who are accused of criminal offenses should be sure that they understand their rights as they prepare to defend themselves against any allegations made against them.

Source: Daily Record, “Hackettstown man charged with killing black bear with bow and arrow,” Michael Izzo, Oct. 17, 2012