The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering a 6,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest, or arrests, in the shooting death of a black bear just south of Franklin.
LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says the bear was discovered in a ditch by passersby May 17th.
“The necropsy determined that it was shot with a rifle just a few days before it was found May 17th, so it was probably shot anywhere between May 14th to May 16th is my best guess,” says Einck.
The Humane Society along with the Acadiana Chapter of Safari Club International pitched in for the reward.
Einck says the bears were taken off the endangered list a few years ago but are still protected.
“If anybody does shoot one that is a federal and state crime. Penalties can be very stiff and civil restitution can be very stiff,” says Einck.
Those with information are encouraged to call the Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-442-2511.
Einck says there’s really no excuse to shoot a bear in Louisiana.
“Most of these black bears don’t want to have any human interaction, but if a bear does get too close we do urge the public to carry some bear spray with them,” says Einck.
The bear was found off of Hunting Road south of Franklin.
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