Man cited for illegally shooting black bear in Louisiana

A man from southwestern Louisiana has been cited for illegally shooting a black bear. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported that Shannon R. Parker, 50, was involved in the incident near Palmetto State Park in Vermilion Parish. The bear, a female estimated to be about 10 years old and weighing around 200 pounds, was found dead. A necropsy revealed that it had been shot with a powerful rifle on February 28 or March 1. During questioning, Parker admitted to the shooting. He claimed he had thought the bear was a wild hog and did not identify his target before firing. Parker also did not have permission to hunt on the land at night or the landowner's contact information. He failed to inform local authorities of his hunting plans. Since 1992, efforts to protect Louisiana's black bears have been successful. These efforts led to the species being removed from the Endangered Species List in 2016. In 2024, a limited bear hunting season was held for the first time in over three decades. Parker could face hefty fines and jail time for his actions. The penalties for illegally taking a bear include fines between $900 and $950 and up to 120 days in jail. He will also need to pay $10,000 in civil restitution for the bear.