Environmental Police Say Man Hunted, Killed Bear Out Of Season

DOVER, NY — State environmental police officers accused a Dover residence of hunting a bear out of season.

The Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Law Enforcement said, on Saturday, a call was received from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reporting that a bear had been shot in the town of Dover.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the call for shots fired and saw someone dragging the bear back to his home when they arrived at the location.

The environmental officer determined the man’s story didn’t match the physical evidence.

The officer said he concluded the man’s dog had gone after the bear and the man both animals before shooting and killing the bear.

Several tickets were issued to the man including “taking bear out of season,” “illegal take of protected wildlife” and “hunting/taking a protected animal with a license.”

The bear’s carcass was seized as evidence and donated.