Public urged to call Division of Wildlife if concerned about bears

A La Plata County resident has pleaded guilty to harassment of wildlife and has been ordered to pay about $1,000 in fines and court costs. The charge is related to an incident in September 2007 in which two bears were shot and killed north of Bayfield.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds residents and property owners that they cannot shoot at wildlife just because they don’t want animals on their property.

William R. Martin, 40, #2 County Road 506, entered the guilty plea for a misdemeanor in district court in Durango on Aug. 29. He was originally charged with five other counts, including willful destruction of wildlife, two counts of illegal take of wildlife, and two counts of hunting bears without a proper and valid license. Those charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

DOW Wildlife Officer Cary Carron received a tip from an informant on Sept. 6, 2007, who said he had overheard Martin talking about two bears he’d shot near his home. The next day another informant called Operation Game Thief and reported that he’d found a dead bear on his property near La Plata County Road 506. Carron and another DOW wildlife officer investigated on Sept. 7 and found one dead bear and shotgun shell casings. The informant also led Carron to the other dead bear. Even though the bears were badly decomposed, the officers were able to find pellets from shotgun rounds in the rotting carcasses.

Later, Carron went to Martin’s residence and was told that he was working out of town and wouldn’t return until Thanksgiving weekend. In an interview on Nov. 29, 2007, Martin told Carron that he had shot over the bears to scare them off of his property. He also said he didn’t think that shotgun pellets would kill a bear.

The bears had not caused any problems in the area where they were shot. They had been seen by numerous residents of the area eating acorns in the scrub oak. Both bears were females and one was still with two cubs. The cubs, born the previous spring, were probably too young to survive on their own. Carron tried to find the cubs but was not able to locate them.

“It’s a shame. These bears were not causing anyone any problems,” Carron said. “There was absolutely no reason for these bears to be killed.”

If people are concerned about bears on their land they should call the DOW for advice on how to haze bears away from property. Black bears are generally timid creatures that can be scared off easily.

They do become dangerous, however, when they are wounded.

“About the worst thing you can have around is a bear that’s been wounded. That’s when they can be very dangerous,” Carron said.

Anyone who is concerned about bears on their property should call the local DOW office; the number in Durango is 247-0855. Information about living in wildlife country can also be found on the DOW web site. Go to http://wildlife.state.co.us, then click on the “Education” button.

To report suspected poaching or suspected wildlife-related crimes, call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648. Tips can be given anonymously.