2 Accused of Illegally Hunting Bear

Two hunters are accused of using bait to hunt a bear in the Hudson Valley.

Department of Environmental Conservation Officers where told about two men who were using bait to hunt bear off of Lake House Road in the Town of Fallsburg.

An ECO K-9 lead responding officers to one of the hunters, who was allegedly found hunting bear with the aid of bait. The second hunter was soon found also using bait to hunt a bear, officials say. The hunter also claimed he was looking for a bear he hit with an arrow.

The second hunter is accused of being in possession of an unpermitted .44 caliber revolver. The hunter's firearms, bow, and other hunting equipment were taken seized by authorities.

Both unnamed hunters were charged with hunting bear with the aid of pre-established bait. The second hunter was also charged with the illegal taking of wildlife and for failing to report his previous-season deer harvest. The Fallsburg Police Department charged the second hunter with the illegal possession of a firearm.

DEC officials went back into the woods and found the dead bear. The bear meat was donated to a needy family.

Last week, the DEC announced the arrest of a man who allegedly used donuts to illegally kill a bear.