posted July 20, 2008
) Photo by TWRA (l-r) TWRA Wildlife Officers Mark Patterson and Sean Edgemon with a black bear they say was killed illegally by a Bledsoe County man. |
The man, Clifford Hale Jr., originally told wildlife officers the 206-pound male bear was threatening his children and livestock. An investigation by Bledsoe County Wildlife Officer Mark Patterson resulted in Hale being charged.
"He stated he first shot the bear several times with a .22 as it attempted to escape through a fence," Patterson said. "When that did not kill the animal he had his son retrieve a 300 magnum rifle and then shot the bear two more times."
Tennessee law allows landowners to kill wildlife that threaten life and general safety or if an animal is destroying property. In this case, TWRA believes Hale could have let the bear go.
"In other situations the public should contact their Regional TWRA office and allow the Agency to respond," Patterson said.
Hale has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 26 in Bledsoe County General Sessions Court.
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