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* Bear Killer!!

groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
edited September 2002 in General Discussion
Did any of you all see the story about the Bedford Co. Va man who was tried this week for illegally killing a bear? He called the Game Warden and told him the bear was in his barn scaring his prized Angus bulls so he shot it! However there was not any evidence,(blood, signs of struggling) found in the barn. The warden ticketed him since it wasn't bear season. He immediately started a campaign of complaining about the unfair game laws and farmers not being able to protect their livestock. But alas,someone tipped off the warden that the bear was actually killed 1.5 miles from there under a pear tree. Great thing this DNA testing! Blood spots found at the tree matched bear's DNA and stomach contents contained pears. The guy asked for a jury trial! So he got one and now is out of 2 guns, 1500.00 for replacing the bear, 300.00 for the jury, and a fine of several hundred dollars! Way to go VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries!!! I can't beleive somebody is that stupid!! Wonders never cease! GHD
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Comments

  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    An idiot indeed. Can he legally shoot the bear on his property if it was his pear tree that the bear was eating?


    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
    Will270win@nraonline.com
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  • 4wheeler4wheeler Member Posts: 3,441
    edited November -1
    That is great but he needs to serve real jail time along with losing his vehicle,he had to transport the bear when he killed it.

    "It was like that when I got here".
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    The bear wasn't on his property. But I don't think that he could have shot the bear even if it was on his property. I live in the ajoining co., Franklin and we don't have any bear season at all. I had one that absolutely wrecked a nine acre corn field a couple years back and I couldn't have shot him unless I could have convinced the Game people to issue a damage permit. I have known of one farmer in VA that got a bear damage permit and he had 9 killed on his property. That farmer was in another co., Alleghany which has a bear season. I don't think I could have gotten one here. There is a mama and twins on one of my hunting properties about 2 miles from my house. I hope to get a chance to take pictures of them but I wouldn't shoot them if we had a season. GHD
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  • 4wheeler4wheeler Member Posts: 3,441
    edited November -1
    GHD,If you can locate the bears,set up a game camera,I use one to get pictures of deer.I have a picture of what looks to be at least a 10 pointer, another buck that was so close to the camera just got part of his body.I would like to down load the picture to this site but having problems down loading the picture.

    "It was like that when I got here".
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    4-Wheeler, Only 1 small problem with that. The 400.00 or so for the camera! I'd love to have one!! GHD
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  • 4wheeler4wheeler Member Posts: 3,441
    edited November -1
    GHD--$98.00 at wally world--I sent you a picture taken by it.It was taken at night.Day time pictures are crystal clear.

    "It was like that when I got here".

    Edited by - 4wheeler on 09/13/2002 22:53:59
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  • nitrouznitrouz Member Posts: 1,820 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The guy should of shot it with a 35mm camera and claimed a crop loss for his taxes, filed a damge claim with his insurance company. What an idiot. If he would of never called the Game Warden he would of never been caught. Goes to show you criminals are stupid people.
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  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    GHD, I never read anyone's profile, so I didn't know you were from around there! Wish I'd a known it last summer, we spent a week down in the Roanoke Valley. Hiked to the falls at Roaring Run, were taken around various wilderness areas, had a big party on the shore of Smith Mountain Lake in Goodview. The wife still wants to move to Virginia, can't say I'd mind a bit, as I love it dearly, but it's a long way to my land in Michigan, I can't give that up! We'll definitely be back, we'll have to look ya up!!
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    TimberBeast, When you hiked to the falls on Roaring Run, you were about 5 miles (maybe less) from the farm where the guy had the damage permits for the bears. You were in Botetourt Co but if you had turned left on the main road you would have hit Alleghany Co. It takes me about 40 minutes or so to get to Goodview. You were close!! Make sure to look me up when you get this way again. Let me know if you are looking for property here. I am not a Real Estate agent but sometimes hear of a farm or mountain land for sale before it gets listed. GHD
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  • red dogred dog Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    4wheeler; I heard GHD has been known to put trail timers in Groundhog
    holes. Now ain't that sneaky!!!!!!
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  • 4wheeler4wheeler Member Posts: 3,441
    edited November -1
    reddog that is a good one,hey it may be true,how else could he account for killing that many groundhogs.

    reddog,hope you are doing okay,had not heard from you lately.

    "It was like that when I got here".
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  • red dogred dog Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    4wheeler: I have been doing pretty good.I will be at the Salem
    gun show if you happen to be up that way next weekend. I just
    got my Marlin VS 17 HMR today and hope to get some sight-in tips
    from GHD so I can try a few long shots with it. Red Dog
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  • 4wheeler4wheeler Member Posts: 3,441
    edited November -1
    I talked to GHD today and he mentioned the Salem show.do not believe I will make it.I am a little low on cash,just bought a game camera,etc,etc,etc.

    "It was like that when I got here".
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    Reddog, You gonna be there both days? I'm going to try to make it but the rain will dictate what my week will be like. If it dries out I'll be back to chopping corn so would have to come over on Sunday. Do you stay in town when you come to the show or drive back each day? If you stay over maybe we would try to call a coyote Saturday evening or something. That camera deal at the groundhog hole is interesting! Might have to try that for those cagey ones that I can't pattern! GHD
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  • red dogred dog Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I will be there both days but I just drive back home each day.
    I am putting a 3-9 Leupold silver on the 17HMR going to try to get
    it set up & to the bench this week if possible. How high are you sighted in at 100 yds.? Red Dog
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    RedDog, I shot a 50, 100, 150, 200yd group this PM just to check the 17 out. I have changed it for the fall season because I thought I might just try it on squirrels. One thing is for sure. Ther is no reason not to make head shots. At 50 yards, 1/4inch high .377 five shots. At 100 yards 1/2 inch high .183 3 shots and .540 five shots. The kids rode their 4 wheelers around the field while I was at the shooting bench! They know better but I saw them and held off until they passed. The first 3 shots were a ragged hole! I hate to mess up a group!!! 150 yards -3.7 inches .307inches 3 shots. 200 yards -7.0 inches .850 3 shots. All 4 groups were fired one right after the other with no cool down or waiting. Hope this helps. Also checked the targets from earlier in the summer and 1.5 inches high at 100 yards leaves you -5.3 inches at 200 yrds. That was how it was for the most of the varmint season. Hope to see you this weekend! GHD
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  • red dogred dog Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks GHD, thats what I will go with when I get to the bench
    I know you have shot enough by now with this little round to know.
    I want to try and shoot it this week but work seems to come first.
    Thanks a bunch & hope to see you at the show. red dog
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    What happens to the bear? No need to waste it- should go on and make a hide and serve meat for the table for those in need!?
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  • groundhog devastationgroundhog devastation Member Posts: 4,495
    edited November -1
    I think the bear was given to a food bank. Not sure but I'm pretty sure the criminal didn't get to keep it. In VA the deer that are illegally killed and the people caught get donated to "Hunters For The Hungry" or local soup kitchens. They don't get wasted as far as I know. The Hunters for the Hungry program is a great service. I think all licensed hunters ought o kill an extra doe and donate it to the program this year! It would help the deer population immensely!! GHD
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