After exploring Ruston neighborhoods for much of the past week, a Louisiana black bear lost its life Friday when it was illegally killed.
The bear was found dead on Millie Road off Beacon Light Road east of Ruston Friday night. Agents and biologists of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries responded to the location and found the bear had suffered from a gunshot wound.
It is illegal to kill black bears in Louisiana. Illegal taking of a Louisiana black bear brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Restitution up to $10,000 may be imposed for the replacement value of the illegally taken black bear.
Anyone with information regarding this illegal killing should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511 or use LDWF’s tip411 program. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the “LADWF Tips” iPhone and Android app from the Apple App Store or Google Play free of charge.
The hotline and the tip411 program are monitored 24 hours a day. Upon request, informants can remain anonymous.
Operation Game Thief is offering up to a $1,000 reward for anyone that has information that leads to an arrest for this case.
The Louisiana black bear is the state mammal.
