Posted on Jul 9, 2023
Man Sentenced For Shooting Black Bear In National Park Due To Being ‘Scared’
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"Serge Painchaud, 42, has been fined CA$7,500 (about $5,641) over the incident, which took place in August of last year and was a violation of a hunting restriction under the Canada National Parks Act, The Guardian reports."
Man Sentenced For Shooting Black Bear In National Park Due To Being ‘Scared’
Posted from huffpost.com
Firearms and Guns
Animals
Alberta
Posted 10 mo ago
Responses: 2
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LTC Eugene Chu
..."Painchaud had gone hiking with two friends but got tired before his companions and turned back alone. While on his own, he saw a bear about 100 feet away and across a creek, according to the case’s agreed statement of facts obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The hiker said he “became scared” and fired a warning shot into the air with the 20-gauge shotgun he had brought into the park. Firearms are not permitted in Canada’s national parks, a rule that Painchaud told the court he “honestly had no idea” existed.
After the warning shot, the bear took a few steps in Painchaud’s direction, at which point he shot and injured the animal. The wounded bear rolled down a creek bank and fled into the forest.
Justice Rosanna Saccomani said that the fear Painchaud said he felt upon seeing the bear was irrelevant to the case.
″[That] would apply to pretty much every single person in your situation,” she said, per the CBC. “We’re all afraid of bears.”...
..."Painchaud had gone hiking with two friends but got tired before his companions and turned back alone. While on his own, he saw a bear about 100 feet away and across a creek, according to the case’s agreed statement of facts obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The hiker said he “became scared” and fired a warning shot into the air with the 20-gauge shotgun he had brought into the park. Firearms are not permitted in Canada’s national parks, a rule that Painchaud told the court he “honestly had no idea” existed.
After the warning shot, the bear took a few steps in Painchaud’s direction, at which point he shot and injured the animal. The wounded bear rolled down a creek bank and fled into the forest.
Justice Rosanna Saccomani said that the fear Painchaud said he felt upon seeing the bear was irrelevant to the case.
″[That] would apply to pretty much every single person in your situation,” she said, per the CBC. “We’re all afraid of bears.”...
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If he didn't illegally bring a gun he might have been fined for feeding the bear without a permit.
Seriously though, it does sound like the bear was far enough away that the hiker should not have been overly frightened. Still, prohibiting firearms in bear country (even black bear country) is stupid.
Seriously though, it does sound like the bear was far enough away that the hiker should not have been overly frightened. Still, prohibiting firearms in bear country (even black bear country) is stupid.
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