Marksville Man Arrested for Killing Black Bear in Avoyelles Parish
February 27, 2013
Contacts:
- Major Sammy Martin, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 225-765-2536, smartin@wlf.la.gov
Additional Materials:
Louisiana black bear. Photo: Gary M. Stolz, USFWS. Download.
A Marksville man was arrested and booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail on Feb. 25 for his alleged role in the illegal killing of a Louisiana black bear.
Derek P. Sayer, 30, was arrested for shooting and killing a Louisiana black bear on Nov. 27, 2012 in Avoyelles Parish. A hunter alerted authorities on Nov. 27 about a dead black bear laying on an all-terrain vehicle trail on Avoyelles Parish School Board property located 20 miles northwest of Marksville.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers responded to the scene and immediately started a joint investigation. After a lengthy investigation, officials concluded that Sayer allegedly killed the bear.
LDWF performed a necropsy of the bear, which revealed the bear was fatally shot with buckshot. The bear was approximately two years old and weighed about 100 pounds.
Harvesting a Louisiana black bear brings a state fine between $900 and $950 and up to 120 days in jail. In addition, restitution for the value of the animal up to $10,000 could be imposed.
The Louisiana black bear has been listed on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List since 1992.
The North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory in Alexandria and the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office provided forensic and technical assistance during the investigation.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast.
