State troopers are looking for whoever shot a brown bear near Mile 17 Haines Highway.
Police and troopers received several calls during the early morning hours on Tuesday, Aug. 27 reporting the dead bear.
Alaska wildlife trooper Trent Chwialkowski located the adolescent carcass of the 3 1/2-year-old male bear.
“The bear was either shot near the creek and ran up towards the road and died or it was shot on or near the road where it was located,” Chwialkowski said.
Derek Poinsette reported the bear to police. He encountered the animal around 7 a.m. and said the bear had been gut shot.
“There were no other injuries at all,” Poinsette said. “I looked in (his) mouth and there was no blood or any sign of other kinds of trauma.”
Chwialkowski processed the bear and said the animal’s body had no signs of trauma indicating it had been struck by a vehicle.
“It’s very typical for one to put an animal out of its misery by dispatching it in the head,” Chwialkowski said. “This bear was not shot in the head.”
Chwialkowski encourages anyone with information about the dead bear to call him at 766-2533 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, call the Alaska Fish & Wildlife Safeguard line at 800-478-3377. The tip line pays cash rewards for information about fish or wildlife violations, Chwialkowski said.
Outside of hunting, people can kill bears legally only in defense of life or property, according to Alaska law.
“You may kill a bear in defense of your life or property if you did not provoke an attack or cause a problem by negligently leaving human or pet food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears and if you have done everything else you can to protect your life and property,” Alaska statute says.
Bears killed in self-defense belong to the state. Individuals must remove the hide from the carcass, salvage the skull and turn them in to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Individuals who kill a bear must notify the wildlife trooper immediately. They must also fill out a form concerning the circumstances within 15 days.