Wyoming Man Admits Illegally Shooting Grizzly Bear

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming hunter pleaded guilty to illegally shooting a grizzly bear on Tolman Ranch.

David Huber, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to the shooting, claiming he thought it was a black bear.

Huber shot the bear early last month near Bennett Creek.

Huber will pay a $10,000 fine. He has already paid $5,000 and will pay $250 a month, starting Dec. 31, until the remaining debt is paid off. The money will be transferred to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

A recent federal court decision returning grizzly bears to Endangered Species Act protection was enacted a few weeks after Huber shot the bear. Now, shooting a grizzly bear without proof of self-defense is considered a felony, carrying up to $50,000 in fines and one year in jail.