Auburn Man Facing Charges After Killing Bear In His Backyard

[Nuclear Unicorn]

AUBURN (CBS) – A 76-year-old Auburn man is facing charges after killing a bear in his backyard.

Richard Ahlstrand told WBZ-TV he was stocking his bird feeder Friday night when a bear about seven feet tall and 300-to-400 pounds started chasing him.

...

“I didn’t have time to aim through the sights, but I aimed in the direction of the head on this thing and I pulled the trigger before it got to me. It just dropped,” he said.

...

Ahlstrand is now charged with illegally killing a bear, illegally baiting a bear, illegal possession of a firearm and failing to secure a weapon.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/04/07/auburn-man-facing-charges-after-killing-bear-in-his-backyard/

EDIT -- it seems like they're ginning-up charges. Why is it illegal to kill a charging bear? How do you bait a bear with birdseed? How do you fail to secure a weapon when you deliberately take it with you for protective purposes?

I don't know what the "illegal possession" charge is in nature but at this point I'm skeptical.

[Maine-ah]

1. I'm wondering how they're charging him with the illegally baiting a bear.

There wasn't much for details - are they considering the man's bird feeder as the bait?

[Bandit]

39. Where I live it is illegal to have bird seed/feed out after April 1st.

Bears love bird seed and suet...

[thucythucy]

70. According to the article, the man saw the bear

the night before, and went out the next night to re-stock his bird feeder, armed with his gun.

Either he's VERY stupid, and has arrived at the age of 76 living in New England not knowing black bears LOVE bird seed, or he deliberately set out to shoot himself a bear. Either way, he's legally culpable.

Setting out a bird feeder in early spring in rural New England is like ringing a dinner bell for bears. Bears emerge from hibernation in a state of near insatiable hunger. Mama bears especially so--they have to produce milk for their cubs. Bird seed is high calorie, high octane food, and once a bear chows down on one meal in someone's back yard, they almost inevitably come back for more. You really have to be something of a dolt to live here and not know that.

Oh, and there's the fact that he discharged his weapon, at night, without knowing he would actually hit the bear. I wonder how his neighbors feel about that.

I live in New England, on the fringe of a rural area (farms, forests, wetlands). We get bears in our back yard from time to time, which is why we don't set out bird seed after April 1st. It's a part of living here--you learn to get along with the local wildlife. I'm assuming from your DU handle you also live in the area, and probably know this already.

And this was a mama bear, meaning there are now several bear cubs that will probably starve to death because of this guy's actions.

What a shame.

[matt819]

81. You are absolutely right

I'm also in New England - rural - and you're right, everyone here knows that birdseed will attract bears. You can argue, of course, that we shouldn't be putting out birdseed at all, but that's a question for another day.

At 76 years old, this guy should know better. Also, as long as he's inside, the bear poses no threat to him. We've had bears in our backyard. In one instance, the bear was about 5 feet away from me, but I was inside the house, and he was not. Not a problem. I don't know if the charges will stick, but they're not all that out of line.

[Maine-ah]

93. um....

I live in rural Maine - not once have I had an issue with my bird feeders and bears. Not say that it isn't sad the bear is dead...but sounds like they're stretching this a bit far -

[thucythucy]

94. I don't know why, but

some areas of New England have a larger black bear population than others. Those with the larger populations (like my town) tend to see them year after year. Probably has something to do with the local geography, or flora, or something.

Anyway, we get bears in our back yard maybe once or twice a year. We've even had momma bears and their cubs. What we do is call the neighbors to give them a heads-up, call the police for the same reason, and then keep ourselves and the dog inside until they're gone. No big deal. You learn to live with it.

The guy had already seen a bear in his yard the night before, presumably chowing down on the bird seed. So walking out (at night, no less) to re-stock his bird feeder was really quite dumb. Unless of course he meant all along to shoot this bear. Personally, I'm skeptical of his "I was running for my life and managed a quick shot behind me, not knowing where it would hit" story. I tend to think a more accurate version of the story might be: "I put out the bird seed, waited by my back door, and shot her as she was chowing down." But that's for the legal process to decide, as is the issue of him having an illegal, unregistered firearm.

He could have called the police the night he saw the bear (who would probably have asked, just as ours do--"do you have a bird feeder? If you do, don't refill it. Otherwise, leave the bear alone and she'll go away.&quot Instead he chose to re-stock his feeder.

The best interpretation here is ignorance, which will probably be his plea.

Whatever the case, as you say, it's sad.

[MineralMan]

2. Auburn, MA appears to be a small town, surrounded by open country

for the most part. Bears aren't uncommon in such places, and bears do not normally post much of a threat to people. If I had been the guy, I'd have retreated back into the house and watched the bear. They're fascinating.

Bears in Minnesota's more rural areas often visit bird feeders. They like bird seed. Usually, they dump the feeder on the ground and chow down. This man's bear was looking for food, during a time when there's not much available yet.

I'd have let the bear alone and enjoyed watching it gobble my bird seed.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Well, I knew a guy who got chased by a bear when...

he got too close to the cubs. Made it back inside his house but said he felt "her hot breath on my back." He might have been exaggerating a little and that was the shit flying out his ass.

But, he finally admitted it was pretty damn stupid to try to play with a bear cub, cute as they may be. He was a city boy, though, and recently moved to north New Jersey where bears are being chased out of southern NY, so his stupidity is slightly understandable.

But, this codger living in bear country with what might be a bear family in his back yard should have known better and let the birds find their food somewhere else. Maybe a feeder in the front yard? Maybe a call to the state wildlife people for advice and help? Like is there a proper safe distance from bear cubs and Mama Bear...

[Brickbat]

4. Dude went into his house to get the gun.

Staying there might have been a better option.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

6. I don't think there's a legal charge for failing to stay indoors.

[Brickbat]

8. There isn't, of course.

But going back into the house and staying there instead of picking up the shotgun and going back outside to shoot it is a good way to avoid charges of illegally killing a bear.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

14. Why should he be charged with illegally killing a bear when he wasn't hunting it?

[Brickbat]

19. The police feel he could have avoided killing it.

It will be their job to prove he could have, and his job to prove he couldn't possibly have avoided it.

[joeybee12]

28. You really want to believe this guy, don't you?

What is with your hatred of bears?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

37. The burden of proof is on the law. What I want to believe is we don't destroy human lives

with gross misapplications of the law. It's not about hating bears -- which I don't and you're fabricating a false label.

[magical thyme]

45. because it was illegal to have a bird feeder out at a time when bears are just waking up and hungry

and it was illegal not to retreat when the bear naturally came looking for food he was putting out.

And if he was carrying an (illegal), loaded gun to an area where he was putting out bear food, then he was hunting it.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

49. "it was illegal to have a bird feeder out at a time when bears are just waking up"

Is that an actual law? Serious question.

[Brickbat]

54. Many areas have ordinances regarding bird feeders and garbage control during certain times of the

year to reduce bear-human incidents, acclimation of bears to human contact, and bear shootings.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

56. Then I will readily admit my ignorance.

Assuming such ordinances exist in this locality it would be taken into consideration.

[magical thyme]

109. the ordinance does exist. It is posted upthread.

He broke a number of laws and ordinances. They are spelled out in the charges against him. And knowing how at least some rural people can be, I would not be surprised if he was deliberately and maliciously bear-baiting with the intent to kill, and thought he could get away with it by feigning "just defending myself."

[pnwmom]

77. Here's another MA case involving bird seed for bear bait:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120227/NEWS/120229628/1116

The investigation led to a bait site off Warwick Road in Royalston where buckets of bird seed appeared to have been used to attract bears. It is illegal in Massachusetts to bait bear for hunting.

Near the bait site, a pile of bear guts was found, some of which was taken for DNA testing. The DNA testing, according to records filed with the court, tied the pile to Mr. Burdzy's bear. A search of Mr. Burdzy and Mr. Burdzy Sr.'s homes in January resulted in further evidence in the case, including a photograph of Mr. Burdzy Jr. with the bear in what appeared, based on nearby foliage and trees, to be the bait site.

Unsecured guns also were found during the search of the two homes. In Mr. Burdzy Jr.'s home police found a gun that was apparently used to shoot the bear, loaded with one round in the chamber and one in the magazine. It was unsecured as were two pistols, another rifle and a shotgun. Also confiscated were game cameras and memory cards, some of which showed Mr. Burdzy Jr. filling plastic buckets with bird seed.

After the arraignment, Peter Merrigan of Boston, the lawyer for both men, said he believes they will be found not guilty.

SNIP

[pnwmom]

72. Because he killed it. Illegally. n/t

[MADem]

102. He's accused of baiting it, I think. nt

[pnwmom]

71. They probably have a law against discharging a gun within city limits.

And he can't claim self defense if he ran inside his house to get the gun.

[CreekDog]

74. how about not knowing what the heck you're shooting at?

but i guess you just want to defend this.

[CokeMachine]

68. Where did you get that info?

Maybe I missed it at the link. Thanks

eta. I just read below that he went back to the house to get the gun.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. Which is not illegal, apparently, as none of that is reflected in the charges against him.

[a la izquierda]

48. Yes!

[Aerows]

87. That's the difference

and those that pretend that they can't see it are making themselves into fools. You know, I know, and everyone else knows that what went on here was a guy trying to get his dick on by shooting a bear, when he could have just stayed inside.

No, he had to grab a gun and shoot because he thinks he's Rambo.

[CreekDog]

75. ah, the gungeoners aren't content to defend gun ownership, but gun use, no matter how irresponsible

yes.

whether it be George Zimmerman, or lead shot into the environment or any use of a gun.

it's not gun ownership you are out to protect, but gun use of almost every kind, even when it results in killing, a boy or a bear.

congratulations.

[Maine-ah]

10. two different stories on that...

your link says he went back in for the gun, and the OP's link claims he had brought the gun out with him because he thought he had seen the bear on Thursday.

[joeybee12]

15. Probably the guy who shot the bear...

They usually do lie through their teeth...poor bear.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

22. "They usually do lie through their teeth" Bear shooters? You know how THOSE people are!

[joeybee12]

26. Did you even read the article you posted? The guy had the gun illegally

Yeah, they do...so go research your pathetic little post. Or better yet, go shoot a bear, because you seem to be advocating open season on them

[Nuclear Unicorn]

36. Did you read my OP? I noted the illegal possession charge and said I was

curious to see the definition of that charge but the trumped-up appearance of the other charges made me skeptical.

[thucythucy]

76. The article I read said

he'd seen the bear in his yard the night before. So he knew his bird feeder was attracting bears.

So he went out the next night, with his gun, to refill the feeder.

Either the guy is very stupid, or he was deliberately setting a trap so he could shoot a bear.

Black bears LOVE bird seed, especially momma bears just coming out of hibernation, who like the high calorie meal set out for them. Once a bear has sampled bird seed in your backyard, it's pretty much inevitable they'll come back (which is why many New England towns have laws prohibiting putting out bird seed--or open garbage cans--after April 1st). If he saw a bear in his yard one night, he should have known better than to go out the next night to restock the feeder. He's like those dolts you see, offering the bears in Yellowstone food from their car windows, only to have the bear push into the car.

So now we have one adult bear dead, and several cubs that will probably starve to death, all because of this one man's actions.

What a shame.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

17. Lousy reporting is another possibility but even assuming the article offered by seaglass

is the truest version I don't think going back in to the house to retrieve a shotgun makes this a crime. He was in his yard. There's no indication he was hunting for sport/game and every appearance of a genuine threat, especially if benefit-of-the-doubt is in play. With that being said the charges against him seem very trumped-up in an effort to punish him with *something*.

[Maine-ah]

20. Oh, I agree.

I've animals, and a child - and I live in the sticks. If I had my gun on me I would have done the same thing. If I had to go back to retrieve it, I wouldn't have gone back out. That's just dumb.

[joeybee12]

27. BS...

Trumped up? Pathetic animal hating drivel you posted there.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

34. "animal hating"? What other cutesy terms you got? Specieists? Human supremacist?

Are you going to accuse me of burning human-shaped totems in the front yard of uppity critters?

Get a grip, Joey. I'm going out to feed my goats and geese. Don't tell me I hate critters. I have friends that are critters.

[Eleanors38]

73. Take your false charges & go write 'em on a postcard. nt

[TheMadMonk]

52. Any threat was GONE, GONE, GONE the moment he went inside.

He, then armed himself and went back outside DELIBERATELY PUTTING HIMSELF IN DANGER, claiming that as justification to kill the bear.

He ENGINEERED the situation to make it "necessary" to kill the bear.

Personally, I'd be looking through the law books for the bowers and as many more opportunities to "trump" as I could find. "Illegal discharge of a firearm within (x) distance of a dwelling" comes to mind.

And do not give a flying fuck for any "right" he might have to be in his yard, the laws of nature (here's that word again) "trump" the fucking laws of man.

[pnwmom]

83. Why did he have a 50 gallon drum of birdseed in his yard in April?

Which is more likely? He felt the need to feed mass quantities of birds in Massachusetts in the spring (I've lived there; it's not necessary) OR he was using a common method of bear baiting?

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. Ironically, when people DO report large omnivores in their yards

it usually ends with the police hunting the animal down and killing it, under the rational the animal posed a danger to people.

There is more to this story than we know, methinks.

[Doremus]

25. That hasn't been our experience.

We've had a resurgence of black bears in the last 5-10 years and there have been more than a few incidents of bears in back yards, in apartment complex yards, etc.

State wildlife officers here in normally assholish Ohio have surprised me, keeping people back and admonishing them to leave the bears alone. Black bears tend to be unaggressive, but if one went rogue and started going after people I'm sure official protocol would shift from the bear's favor.

[1-Old-Man]

47. I believe its best to always consider pursuing bears to be carnivores.

When one is hot on your tail it really doesn't matter that he'd just as soon eat a good salad as eat you.

Bears getting onto bird feeders and into garbage is somewhat common around here. Although I may be the only person on earth (or at least hereabouts) who has never seen a bear in the wild my neighbors report them all the time. I've never known of anyone shooting at one of them though, at least not until hunting season. I've also never known, or I should say heard, of one to chase any body. Me? I'd run like hell anyway, even if I did have it in the back of my mind that mostly bears are either insectivores or herbivores, but as you say, always omnivores.

[thucythucy]

66. Not in my town.

Last edited Tue Apr 9, 2013, 02:25 PM - Edit history (1)

We've had bears in our back yard a couple of times in the past few years.

We generally call the neighbors to give them a heads up, also the police for the same reason.

The police response is always, "Stay indoors, make sure your dog is indoors. Leave it alone and it'll go away." Which is what we do, and the yes, the bears always go away without any one being harmed. Black bears (which is what we have here in New England) generally are pretty docile around humans, it's usually the humans over-reacting (or being stupid, as in bothering a mother bear with cubs) that causes the problem. Like people who insist on feeding bears from their open car windows when they visit Yellowstone, then freak out when a bear tries to climb into their car.

We have a law in our town prohibiting bird feeders after April 1--precisely because they attract bears, especially in early spring. Many New England towns do. If Auburn has a similar law it's for precisely the same reason. Either this guy didn't know, or didn't care, which would make him pretty stupid, in my book.

Amend that to say: VERY stupid. It took me a while to access the article (internets are slow today, for some reason) but the guy saw the bear the night before, and went out to restock his bird feeder anyway. Stupid stupid stupid. Assuming he's lived in the area more than a few weeks, he should have known black bears LOVE bird seed, and that setting out a stocked feeder was basically ringing a dinner bell. He KNEW the bear would be back, which is why he went out armed.

And it was a mama bear, meaning there are now several bear cubs that will probably starve to death.

Either the guy is very dim, or he deliberately set out to shoot himself a bear. Either way, I'd say the law should take its course.

[joeybee12]

16. Black bears don't often charge...the guy baited the bear...the guy is full of shit...

I hope the full force of the law locks the POS away.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

18. With birdfeeders? Wouldn't bearfeeders be the device of choice?

And why the "POS" appellate? All you know about his 76-years is what you'e seen in a few short articles. It seems odd to judge the moral character of his soul in such extreme terms based on so little.

[joeybee12]

23. I should know better than to post anything which you start...

Maybe if you had one freaking clue about the nature of black bears you MIGHT have something intelligent to say.

[MrBig]

29. That's quite a leap

It seems to me that you speak as if everyone SHOULD have the same level of knowledge of black bears as you. Furthermore, you are judging this person's character based on his lack of knowledge of black bears.

Instead of getting into attacks on people, I would recommend you post some of that knowledge. I'm genuinely curious as to how you derived provocation by this person's actions. Should he have known bears were in his area? Did he know birdseed would bring them out? Are they not dangerous?

I don't know the answers to these but it seems to me that you do. Is this knowledge that everyone should have?

[joeybee12]

35. Maybe if you read my other posts instead of joinging to pick a fight...

You might say something different...honestly, everything you ask is out there in my posts and others...

[MrBig]

38. I read those posts

Black bears generally do not charge is the only real factual statement I gathered.

I apologize, but I am doubtful that one statement about the general nature of a single animal species is enough to garner such assumptions as to create such hostility in this particular instant without more facts being known.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

30. The fact there was a black bear was irrelevant

The homeowner was going about his property as he is entitled. He had the shotgun because A) he had seen a bear the previous Thursday or B) he heard a noise he could not identify.

In either case he's not required to have a PhD in zoology. He is entitled to move about freely on his property and he's entitled to set out birdfeeders. I several birdfeeders about my property and I assure you they are not to entice bears -- although deer are a constant issue. As every account of the story does not dispute the bear was well on his property it's entirely plausible he felt genuinely threatened and the law is obligated to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Larrylarry]

65. "Entitled to set out bird feeders"

Are you sure about that ?

[pnwmom]

85. With a 50 gallon drum of bird seed -- a snack that's known to attract bears.

We live near a state park and everyone knows to keep food sources locked up.

[G_j]

21. yes, highly improbable

something doesn't sound right..

[joeybee12]

24. Tell that to Nuclear Unicorn...he/she knows everything apparently...nt

[Doremus]

31. Sounds like the guy was hoping for a confrontation.

Reading it brought to mind the elderly lady in Cleveland who found a newborn fawn curled up in her yard and proceeded to bash it to death with a shovel because she was afraid for her life.





Crotchety old man playing Wyatt Earp in his back yard = dead bear.

[One_Life_To_Give]

51. Or scared *&%less

Don't think Auburn has seen Bears until recently. Not surprising that many people wouldn't really know how to react around one.

[jpak]

32. The guy was an asshole looking to kill a bear - and get away with it.

Glad they threw the book at him.

He killed the cubs too.

Idiot.

yup

[Hoyt]

33. Time to take the old codger's guns away. Notice one poster above using same rationale pro-gunners

Last edited Tue Apr 9, 2013, 03:13 PM - Edit history (1)

use for shooting people in their yard when they really aren't a threat.

Folks just gotta shoot something to be happy.

[DrDan]

57. that was my first thought

[Aerows]

84. Bullshit

He got into his home and was locked up safe as a biscuit.

I'm no gun "advocate" but I would shoot something threatening me in a heartbeat. I'm not a dumbass, though, and know the difference between a "threat" (outside of your house with a bear there), and an excuse to go dumbassery on wild-life (I'm inside, safe, and can't be harmed).

[Cleita]

40. Weird. If it were Montana, he'd be praised.

That being said. I hope he has his day in court cause there's more to this story than what was reported. The bear was not acting normally if it didn't perceive a threat, or he wasn't.

[2naSalit]

104. Actually, over here in Montana...

He'd be considered a dumb-ass for NOT knowing that the bears are up and ornery because they are hungry. He created the threat by puttingout bird seed, if the bear really did charge him, which is unlikely if it was up on it's hind legs. AND he'd be soundly chastised and duly charged for baiting and killing the bear and causing harm to the alleged cubs.

Up here where we have both black and grizzly bears, both dangerous when provoked, and in the towns there are laws against baiting which includes non-bear=proof garbage containers, dropping food on the ground, BIRD FEEDERS in spring and autumn... And killing one when you should have stayed in the house will get you in plenty of trouble, and the hunting crowd won't buy you a beer at the bar anymore either and they'll tell you what an idiot/asshole you were for killing a bear like that.

I have bears sniffing my cabin door from time to time, or just milling around, when that happens, it's time to stay inside until it goes away, if you don't have any food for it, it won't stick around.

I hope he learns the lesson here, it may take legal action to teach him... and maybe he's been a problem child in regard to his shotgun in the past...? Maybe? remember, the vid is a product of corporate news, you're never going t get the whole story there.

PS, not all Montanans are crazy gun nuts, even if we own one or more, thank you very much.

[Cleita]

105. Maybe you've changed the laws there but when I was camping with my husband, we were told

not to have any interactions with the bears or they would be euthanized. We did have one encounter. A brown bear chased our truck down the road like a dog. When we stopped, he got bored and ran back into the woods. We never reported it because we didn't want to get him killed.

[2naSalit]

106. The reason they get euthanized

is because stupid people feed them or try to get up close and personal for a "gud picher"... and they usually end up being mauled and then because some, although so ignorant they should be ousted from the gene pool anyway, extremely precious human got hurt because of their stupidity, the bear gets axed. The same with feeding them, they're smart and once they learn that people give them food, they figure it's easier than hunting down something else and when they see a human that isn't aware that they know humans will give them food, the bear might not appreciate that the unaware humans don't know the previous arrangement, they might beat you up... and the bear gets axed, or if you happen to surprise one in the woods, especially one with cubs, they will beat you up, and you will get really messed up if you survive the incident... but the bear will be hunted down and killed.

It's easier to tell the tourons that their interaction with a bear will usually end up with a dead bear than explain all of what I said above. Short attention spans and all that, along with "You're just trying to ruin my vacation!" BS. Most wouldn't "get it" no matter how hard you try to explain it on ever declining levels of intellect, so everyone from elsewhere gets the standard mantra... " a fed bear is a dead bear " like it or not. If you lived here or recently moved here or planned to spend a lot of time here, you might get a more detailed explanation. We don't quite have a million people residing in the state but exponential numbers come here as tourists... we have bears in most parts of the state, black and griz (some black bears are reddish brown) and they can all be dangerous... black bears can climb trees, griz can pull an entire water-logged bison carcass out of a river with one paw and they can run about 35-40mph (you cannot outrun them).

Try and explain all that to the average tourist.

[Cleita]

108. I never worked in Montana as a camp ground host, but I did in Idaho and Eastern Washington.

I know you guys have a really big problem with attack bears in Glacier. I used to get campers that had been in Glacier and they would talk about bear attacks there when they had been visiting and hiking. Frankly I thought it was because of the number of tourists that crowded that park and Yellowstone. The poor beasts were probably stressed. Visitors should probably be limited, but the National Parks have become big business and the work done by government employees is now outsourced to private companies. We have essentially sold our wilderness to the highest bidder, but then you know that already.

Since we had bear locker type trash cans and I made sure the campers kept their campsites trash free, the bears went about their business without entering the campgrounds. I had a bigger problem with cougars wanting to pick off little kids in my Washington campground. I had to constantly nag parents to stay with their toddlers. A two year was killed by a cougar in one of my campgrounds the following year that I worked there when my replacement was negligent and didn't look for the signs that big kitty was prowling around. However, there the wildlife and game people trap them and relocate them. They don't kill them if at all possible.

It's true that a lot of people don't stop to think that the wilderness is not an amusement part but home to many species besides humans. Just because they are hiding in the bushes and trees doesn't mean they aren't there. Fortunately, the Ranger I worked with was a woman and a zoologist. She kept really good track of the wild life and did what she could to educate visitors.

[Animal Chin]

41. What happens to the carcass?

Do you think they'll let him keep the bear arms?

[Dr. Strange]

67. Yes: according to the 2nd amendment...

you have the right to bear arms.

[thucythucy]

98. If only the bear had been armed. Nt.

[Iggo]

42. Good!

[Sheepshank]

43. Illegal possession of a firearm....

...so he went back inside to get something he shouldn't have been possessing...and then proceeded to shoot an animal he invited into his yard (via the bird seed bait), after having previously seen it in the area. The guy is a douche.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

44. I'm curuious to see the definition of "illegal possession" and no one can be charged with

failure to remain indoors. It was his property. The birdseed bait seems seems highly implausible. People put out birdfeeders. Did he have those feeders well prior to seeing the bear earlier in the week? Is it reasonable to suspect birdseed attracts bears (I always assumed it attracted birds myself, but what do I know?)?

[DrDan]

59. what he was using in the birdfeeder was not mentioned

it certainly could have been nuts, berries, etc which would draw a bear.

[pnwmom]

91. Bears think bird seed is a tasty snack.

Why not? Humans like seeds, why not bears?

[Sheepshank]

60. yeah...I'm totally not buying your thoughts on this one

He sees a bear a few days ago, and then proceeds to put out food to call it over to his house? Doesn't matter if the feeders were there before or not...stocking the up was a recent abhorrent choice given the circumstances of seeing the bear in close proximity.

Why are you so adamant about making up shit about this motivations, and protecting someone you don't even know...or do you?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

61. I see deer all over my property constantly

Yet I still keep my birdfeeders well-stocked *especially* when food is scarce; but I assure you it is not for the deer. I wouldn't think once about a bird feeder attracting bears but I would have a gun near by to protect myself and my livestock (a couple of goats, a pair of geese, some chickens etc.) if I saw a predator in the area.

Frankly, I don't understand why someone having a different frame of reference is automatically assumed to be dubious/evil/hateful/whatever.

[Sheepshank]

63. you know deer can charge you and get up their hind legs

and beat/kick the shit out of you? Should you go inside, get a gun and then go back outside to take care of that threat?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

64. You're changing the terms of the account

In 1 account he was aware of the bear from a previous sighting earlier in the week. Unless you're suggesting he remain in his house and not tend to his property until the authorities sound the "all-clear" (probably by HUNTING and KILLING the bear) I don't see what was so unreasonable about keeping the means to protect himself at hand.

In another account he heard an unidentified noise and returned to the house to arm himself. But the noise was unidentified and there is no legal requirement to remain indoors and it was still his property.

My husband has gone outside to investigate noises with a gun in his hand because we were concerned our goats might be threatened by a mountain lion that had been reported in the area or a neighbor's dog that frequents our property. Maybe I've been out of the city for too long but I don't see his actions, as described in the articles, as unreasonable.

[pnwmom]

86. Many cities have laws preventing the discharge of guns within city limits. n/t

[2naSalit]

107. Bears love bird seed

and any kind will do. In my neck of the woods (mostly in townships but is generally recognized) bird feeders in spring, summer, fall equate to bear attractants and can lead to major fines. Shooting a bear, no matter where, is illegal out of season and without a tag. You have to prove that it was self defense and that you had a good reason not to have and use pepper spray instead of a gun... Some bears are designated as threatened on the list of endangered species.

[Shankapotomus]

46. Sounds like a classic case of

"Get off my lawn!" Syndrome.

You heard a sound? Big effing deal. I'm always suspicious of people who need a gun to investigate every sound. I'd put money on it he lied and the bear never even chased him.

[Aerows]

50. He went into the house

Stay the hell there and call animal control.

He made the dumb decision to get a gun and shoot the bear. I do not understand why people think they are in the right once they are safe, to go vigilante on anything.

Call the damn police, and you won't get charged. Decide to make it a moment of "Oh, I'm so macho" and get charged. It's that simple.

If there was no way to contact police or for police to get there, I could see it. I went through Hurricane Katrina. If there is a way though, stay in your damn house and quit trying to play Rambo.

[Sheepshank]

62. He went into the house to retreive the firearm so he could shoot the bear

according to http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/04/07/auburn-man-faces-charges-after-fatally-shooting-black-bear-his-yard/5cYQU8AiEI9Oy9h6zYd1PL/story.html

Of course Freedomworks, Ulsterman report, vigilantvote....pro gun, RW site all seem to represent the same views as Unicorn....the man as a right to shoot anything in his yard. He has no legal or moral obligation to avoid a deadly confrontation.

[Aerows]

92. Which is idiocy

Go in your goddamned house, stay there, and use the phone.

Balls before brains was what happened here. And gun afficcianados wonder why normal folks think they use them as a substitute for their lack of a decent sized "package".

[Bombero1956]

53. Maybe it's just me

But I never refill my birdfeeder without my sidearm.

[DrDan]

55. I have a feeling there is more to this story . . . .

[RebelOne]

58. Ditto. So do I. n/t

[TimberValley]

69. What is a person supposed to do, let the bear maul him? n/t.

[Sheepshank]

78. Yout presumption that the only two choice were to be mauled or to kill

sounds so very NRA'ish.

The only that stops a raging black bear, is a good guy with a gun...is that what you are saying?

[TimberValley]

82. A very elderly man against a bear weighing several hundred pounds?

I would say that's a good argument that the gun was needed.

[Sheepshank]

96. Nope...I don't hink it's a good argment at all

The man put himself in a position where he had to use the firearm. He invited the bear onto his property, he went into the house to fetch the gun, went back outside and confronted the bear. He could very easily have avoided the whole thing. Therefore, he CHOSE to kill. Doesn't matter if the bear was a teddy bear or a grizz, if the bear weighted 10 lbs or 600 lbs.

[pnwmom]

88. How many people carry guns outside to feed birds?

He just happened to have this weapon with him. Right.

[pnwmom]

79. He's keeping a 50 gallon drum of bird seed outside in APRIL and he says it's for birds.

Right.

http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/07/man-faces-charges-after-killing-bear-his-yard/39FmmPtqUtysS8JQczM3bP/story.html

Sluckis said the bear is believed to have been attracted to a 50-gallon drum of birdseed in Ahlstrand’s backyard. Ahlstrand told police he heard a noise outside and felt in fear of his life. Authorities determined the bear was female. “Not only was the bear not a threat to people, it may have had cubs waiting for it,” Sluckis said.

[KamaAina]

80. Colbert needs to get on this pronto

[pnwmom]

89. Here are some photos showing bear baiting with bird seed

from a hunters' site. It's a common method of attracting bears.

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=229842

[Aerows]

90. A Volkswagen kept running over our yard

The kid drove it over the yards to be an ass.

My father got a shotgun and "marked his car". He nearly spent time in jail. Because his balls got ahead of his brains. You tote a weapon that can kill people, then you need to be responsible for it.

Some men are incapable of controlling their tempers, then whine when the decent people in their lives leave them. If you bust shit up, prepare to be left. No one has sympathy for you because you cannot grow beyond being an animal.

[CokeMachine]

95. Let me fix that for you.

Some men/women are incapable of controlling their tempers, then whine when the decent people in their lives leave them.

That works better, doncha think?

[bluedigger]

97. Throw the book at him.

The only reason to use a 50 gallon drum of birdseed is as bear bait. He'll get his jury trial.

[Paul E Ester]

99. bump..nt

[Paul E Ester]

100. Video - Auburn man faces charges after shooting, killing backyard bear

[TheCowsCameHome]

101. What does the right to arm and keep bears (RKAB) crowd have to say?

This guy is a real idiot.

[flvegan]

103. Good. n/t

[pcanon]

110. man kills bear in self-defense

I can't believe the people writing about this belong to a forum called Democratic Underground. You are all appalling. Who are any of you to blame this man for being afraid and acting in self-defense. Who is to say the bear was not unwell and a bit deranged and aggressive. This is not the only case going on now in which Americans are being threatened with prison for legitimately acting in self-defense. Read about Cecily McMillan. See this: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fla-mom-gets-20-years-for-firing-warning-shots/

The point is that our legal system is falling apart and democracy is dying in America. When I read comments like those on this forum I can only think that many Americans deserve what is happening to them. What a bunch of compassion-impaired idiots. I was so annoyed by the stupidity and presumption of these comments - and the hatred for a fellow human-being, and an elderly man at that, about whom you know nothing - that I joined this forum just to tell you all what I think of your mean-spirited comments.

The man was afraid. The bear was in his yard the night before and so he carried the gun out with him. Apparently he did not know that feeding birds would draw bears. Maybe he was new to the area. Maybe he is out of touch. Maybe he is isolated. Maybe he is mentally impaired in some way. If Massachusetts wants to fine him for having a firearm, which he used only for his own protection and in his own yard, that would make sense - but threatening and elderly man with imprisonment for an act of self-defense against such a large animal is insane.

One day the system might try to eat you, too, and then you won't be so glib about it.

[gopiscrap]

111. Interesting