Maryland Natural
Resources Police Investigates Dead Bear and Cubs in Washington County
2/6/06 -- HANCOCK — On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Maryland Natural
Resources Police (NRP) responded to a report of a black bear carcass in
the 1000-Acre Area of the Woodmont Rod and Gun Club, off of Woodmont Road,
in Washington County. A concerned citizen who had found the dead bear
reported the incident.
NRP and Wildlife and Heritage Services (WHS) arrived at the scene and
found a 250-pound sow in a den with a fatal shotgun wound. When WHS
personnel started to remove the carcass from the den, they discovered
three dead cubs, also in the den.
After an initial investigation it was determined that the bear was shot
on Monday, Jan. 23 and reported three days later. The 2-3 week old cubs
appeared to have died from exposure sometime after the death of the
mother.
NRP obtained a statement from the suspected shooter, a 17 year-old
Hancock man, and charges are pending. NRP continues to investigate the
incident. Once the investigation is completed, the case will be referred
to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice in Washington County.
The Department of Natural Resources denounces the illegal shooting of
any animal. Wanton destruction of Maryland’s wildlife violates the ethical
burden each hunter takes with him or her when heading afield.
Individuals encountering a black bear in the wild, including a sow with
cubs, should back away slowly and leave the bear alone. Lethal measures of
self-defense are usually not necessary. Individuals should not enter a
bear den or disturb a sow and its cubs.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 270
officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the
NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating
law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services
include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services,
education, information and communications services on a round the clock
basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police
that has statewide jurisdiction.