Environmental Police: Ashburnham man who killed bear at bird feeder faces illegal hunting charges

ASHBURNHAM - A man who shot a bear with a bow and arrow faces multiple charges after acknowledging to officials that the killing occurred two days after the end of hunting season, according to the state Environmental Police.

The killing in occurred in late December; authorities detailed the findings of their investigation on Wednesday.

"The suspect ultimately admitted to shooting the mother bear with a bow and arrow as it fed on birdseed in the backyard of the home," Environmental Police wrote in a news release.

Authorities have not publicly identified the Ashburnham man accused in the killing. He is charged with the illegal taking of a black bear, hunting during a closed season, illegal hunting of a bear in a baited area and falsifying a harvest report, among other charges.

It was the defendant who initially contacted authorities, after he brought the bear to a butcher in New Hampshire. According to Environmental Police, the man told the butcher that the bear was killed before the end of the season, but the butcher suspected otherwise.

Soon after, the man who killed the bear contacted authorities, acknowledging the timing of the killing and saying he was unaware the season had ended, according to Environmental Police.

"Upon arrival to the individual’s home, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers observed a yearling bear cub standing in the suspect’s truck bed where the deceased bear was also located. A second yearling cub was located nearby," Environmental Police said. "The yearling cubs involved were of a size and age where they are capable of surviving on their own and left the scene shortly after the officers' arrival. This was further confirmed with MassWildlife biologists on the day of the incident."

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Environmental Police: Ashburnham man who killed bear at bird feeder faces illegal hunting charges