Man charged with shooting, killing black bear in Elmore County

Michael Watkins – Photo from Elmore County Sheriff’s Office

A Wetumpka man faces state charges that he shot and killed a black bear in Elmore County.

32-year-old Michael Watkins is charged with killing the bear in the 2000 block of Trace Road in the Wallsboro community. People had reported seeing the bear wandering in that area in recent days.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources tell Action 8 News that while classified as a game animal in Alabama, there is no established black bear hunting season in the state. Black bears are also protected by state law due to low population numbers.

“Hopefully this arrest will send a message and deter future wildlife regulation violations related to Alabama’s black bear population,” said Matt Weathers, Chief of Enforcement with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “If you see a black bear, just leave it alone. We want them in Alabama.”

In Alabama, shooting at a black bear is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a potential minimum fine of $2,000. Other penalties for attempting to take a black bear include the loss of hunting and fishing license privileges for three years and possible jail time.

Watkins charges include violation of the Black Bear statute, hunting in the closed season and hunting after dark.