Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — A Centre County man is facing charges after admitting to shooting a black bear that was on his property on March 31, according to a state game warden.
According to the criminal complaint, officials arrived at his house on the 400 block of Sheldon Street in Sandy Ridge after receiving a report of a big game violation.
Officials say that, upon arriving at the scene, Sheldon Sharpless, 87, admitted to shooting the bear after hearing a noise in his backyard and finding the bear destroying his bird feeders and eating the seed inside.
The criminal complaint states that Sheldon showed the game warden the bear on his property, and that it was still alive but was unable to stand up or move.
According to the game warden, he made the decision to put the bear down due to the extent of it's injuries.
Officials say that Sharpless told them he fired a single shot at the bear with a .22 caliber pistol after discovering it in his backyard.
According to the criminal complaint, Sharpless shot the bear when black bear season was closed, and that Title 34 of the Game and Wildlife code states that "It is unlawful for any person to take, injure, kill, possess or transport or knowingly or intentionally aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in any manner to take, injure, kill, possess or transport any big game animal during closed season."
Officials state that Sharpless also violated Title 34 by shooting at the bear with a device other than a centerfire or muzzle-loading firearm or bow and arrow.
According to the criminal complaint, Sharpless must also pay a $1,500 replacement cost for black bear.
Online court dockets show that Sharpless faces one charge of unlawful killing or taking of big game during closed season and one charge of hunting big game with an unlawful device.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfmLKvwNGeZJynXaKur3nCoZirn5WZeqe70Waqoaefqbavs4ybo5qbm2Kvpq3RZqanZZiewG680ainnqqkrnqiusimmKVlnJbBpr6MnqytoJGjtruxww%3D%3D