Juneau trooper kills chicken-stealing brown bear
Hunting September 8, 2017 Lee Leschper
UPDATE ADDITIONAL BEAR SHOOTING IN JUNEAU
According to the Juneau Empire, an Alaska Wildlife Trooper shot and killed a charging brown bear last night after it raided a chicken coop at a home on Randall Road in Juneau.
When the trooper arrived on scene and approached the home, the bear charged to within 15 feet of the trooper and was subsequently shot and killed. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game arrived on scene, took possession of the bear and confirmed that it was indeed a brown bear.
Further investigation found that the bear was at the chicken coop when it charged the trooper. The chicken coop was not protected by an electrified fence.
ORIGINAL STORY:
As days get shorter and cooler, and hunters are crowding the Alaska woods, there are going to be more potential bear-human coflicts.
A Palmer moose hunter shot and killed a sow grizzly last week, dropping the charging bear at three feet. The sow had an almost-grown cub with it, that may have prompted the sudden charge.
Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said the sow was shot on the evening of Sept. 1, in the vicinity of Buffalo Mine Road. The hunter, 52-year-old Wasilla resident Bobby Foote, spoke with Alaska Wildlife Troopers Saturday.
“Investigation revealed the bear charged (Foote) and a partner while he was moose hunting near Palmer and he dropped the bear with a single shot from a large rifle at close range,” troopers wrote in an online dispatch. “The bear stopped approximately 3 feet from Foote’s feet. The bear was with a second-year cub which is expected to survive.”
Many falls, an Alaska hunter is mauled by a bear either protecting a kill or gut pile, wounded by a non-lethal shot, or surprised at close range.
Alaska law allows Defense of Life and Property killings of threatening bears, with the stipulation that the bear be surrendered to authorities. But it’s always best to avoid a DLP incident by avoiding high risk bear situations. That can be difficult for hunters trying to be quiet, to imitate a deer or moose with a call, or traveling in the dark through dense brush.
Best to always expect bears, to avoid traveling in thick cover in low light conditions and to be prepared to face an aggressive bear.
http://www.ktva.com/story/36323122/charging-grizzly-shot-killed-by-palmer-hunter
