KILLER OF RADIO-COLLARED BEAR CONVICTED, REWARD PAID
March 2, 2004
Contact: Gary Morse (863) 648-3206
An anonymous citizen who called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline, provided information leading to the conviction of a poacher who killed a black bear in Pasco County in January of 2003. For their effort, that citizen was awarded $1,000 through the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Program.
For his effort, Gary W. McQuiston, D.O.B. 12/22/58 of 5423 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey, was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, four years probation, $411 in court costs and forfeiture of the muzzleloading firearm he used to shoot the bear with. He also forfeited a mounted bear cub for which he had no documentation.
McQuiston was convicted on Friday, Feb. 13, in a Tampa courtroom of:
 | Killing an endangered or threatened species, a third-degree felony. |
| Possession of firearms by a convicted felon, a third-degree felony. |
| Possession of a mounted black bear (cub) without proper documentation, a second-degree misdemeanor. |
| Criminal mischief, a second-degree misdemeanor. |
McQuiston, a convicted felon was also found to be in illegal possession of 29 additional firearms. FWC investigators seized the firearms. The disposition of those arms is still pending.
The 450 lbs. male bear that McQuiston killed was part of a study conducted by the University of Kentucky’s Native Bear Project funded under contract with Southwest Florida Water Management District. The research project focuses on black bears in and around Chassahowitzka, a remote coastal area in Hernando County.
A mortality signal from the bear’s radio collar was received on Friday, Jan. 10. Biologists tracked the signal to an area near the northeast corner of the Starkey Wilderness Park where they found the collar located near a deer stand in 18 inches of water. The collar was cut in two, and no trace of the bear could be found. Biologists believe the large male bear wondered south from Chassahowitzka because winter food sources had become scarce. Wildlife officials say that even so, the bear was not a threat to humans.
“Without the cooperation of a concerned citizen who called the Wildlife Alert Hotline, this case would not have been solved,” said Sgt. Ed Prouty, lead FWC investigator in the case.
Anyone having information about wildlife or fisheries law violations may call the FWC’s toll-free Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-800-404-3922, remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.
For more information on Florida black bears visit www.wildflorida.org/critters/bears.asp or contact the Division of Wildlife at (863) 648-3205.
GRM/OIS
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