'Conservation officers look at charges after talking to man who shot cub'

Charges remain possible against a Pinantan Lake man who badly wounded a bear cub with crossbow arrows and several rounds from a .22 rifle, conservation officers said Wednesday.

Kelly Dahl said officers have interviewed the man and spoken with several witnesses. The statements, as well as some physical evidence, will be forwarded to Crown counsel for a decision on charges.

It could take weeks or months for Crown lawyers to review the file and make a decision.

Dahl said he wouldn’t comment on the investigation or the version of events from witnesses or the man who wielded the crossbow and rifle.

The bear, a cub of the year weighing less than 23 kilograms, was shot Monday as it wandered near a Pinantan Lake home. After being struck by a crossbow bolt, the bear ran up a nearby tree. The man followed and fired at least three more bolts at the bear. He returned a short time later with a .22-calibre rifle and fired several shots at the animal.

The badly wounded bear ran from the tree and was not seen again until the next day, when it was located by a conservation officer and destroyed.

Dahl said the service is still interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed the incident who has not already been interviewed by authorities.

People are asked to call the conservation service’s reporting line at 1-877-952-RAPP.

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