MANISTEE COUNTY, Mich. — DNR officers are seeking information on a Nov. 16 bear poaching incident in northeast Manistee County.
A female bear was found dead of a shotgun wound near a hunting blind on public land in Cleon Township. Witnesses spotted a man leaving the scene, and officials believe he was involved in the killing.
He is described in a press release as a white male between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and facial hair. He left the scene in a dark-colored pickup truck.
Reports of the poaching came in at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16. DNR officers say that three bear cubs are believed to have been orphaned as a result of the bear being killed.
Poaching bear in Michigan carries a restitution payment of $1,500 per bear as well as a minimum $200 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting privileges may also be suspended for up to three years.
Anyone with information is asked to call the DNR’s Report All Poaching (RAP) Line at 1-800-292-7800. You can also provide tips online.
