Ouray County, Colorado

From the Telluride Watch of June 19, 2007

Man Shoots Black Bear

A property owner shot a black bear with birdshot early last week, according to Division of Wildlife spokesman Joe Lewandowski.

The incident took place on Tuesday, June 12, about three miles north of Ouray. The property owner noticed the bear was “getting into garbage.” He first shot the bear with rubber buckshot, but when “the bear hung around,” he followed with a shot of birdshot, according to Lewandowski, after which the bear ran off.

Lewandowski said authorities were called and four DOW officers arrived to investigate the incident. Though the bear was not found, officials believe it is uninjured.

“It’s unlikely the birdshot hurt the bear,” Lewandowski said. “It was probably a non-fatal shot.”

Lewandowski reminds citizens that, “if they have a problem they shouldn’t try and get rid of a bear themselves…they need to get in touch with the DOW.”