Posted on 03/22/2022 7:04:59 AM PDT by SJackson
Did you know it is unlawful to hunt black bears over bait in Montana? Yeah, we suspect this guy did, too.
And while those charges would sufficiently disgust most Montana hunters, a Sanders County man managed to take it even further before a lengthy investigation led to guilty pleas on multiple counts of illegal game hunting. Yes, the fines and hunting ban sanctions are pretty serious. But we acknowledge that lots of you think they should be even more severe.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reports that Alfred (Toby) Bridges of Sanders County pleaded guilty to nine misdemeanor hunting violations, including the unlawful hunting of black bears over bait and unlawfully killing an elk out of season. FWP game wardens and other officials conducted a year-long investigation into these illegal activities.
Mr. Bridges admitted to the unlawful hunting of black bears over bait, using a variety of human foods to attract bears into his hunting area. He pleaded guilty to two counts of killing black bears over bait and two counts of unlawful possession of those two black bears. But the case against Bridges grew from there.
As Montana FWP authorities started peeling away more layers during their investigation, they also discovered improprieties involving elk, deer and licensing.
Mr. Bridges subsequently plead guilty to one count of killing a cow elk out of season and unlawful possession of that elk, one count of loan and transfer of a license for a white-tailed buck he shot using another individual’s license and one count of harvesting over his limit for the buck, since he had already shot one during the general hunting season.
The charges resulted in $9,605 in fines and restitution, and the loss of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for 54 months in all 47 states that participate in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which does include Montana.
But they are not exactly done with the bad guy just yet. Bridges pleaded not guilty to two additional charges related to a third black bear shot over bait. He has failed to appear on these charges and multiple warrants have been issued for his arrest.
Read More: Montana Man Guilty of Illegally Baiting and Killing Black Bears | https://newstalkkgvo.com/montana-man-guilty-illegally-baiting-and-killing-black-bears/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Thanks to LucyT for the article
I would have liked to have seen Montana...
Sounds like he’s now a fugitive.....needs to be UNDER the jailhouse.
Also, I suspect he’s done a lot of other illegal hunting that hasn’t been discovered.
Day old doughnuts are one of the best bait for bears.
Black bears ? Charge him with a hate crime too
Maybe throw some gasoline on a cop and light him on fire or throw a bomb at him.
That's tolerated.
What a loser. Love phoning in these sorts of violations to DNR
Bait may be placed up to 30 days prior to opening day of the bear bait hunting season and no later than October 31. Bait areas must be cleaned up by November 10. Bait can be used to assist dog hunters and trappers, but it is illegal to shoot a bear over bait after the close of the bait season.
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting-laws/bear.html
Hunting guides will lead clients to baiting areas, so the client can have an exciting bear hunt.
"I thought you said BEER baiting!
A man was out hunting one day and shot a loon right in front of a game warden. The warden runs over and says “hey, that’s illegal!”
Th3 man says “huh? Been eating them for years”
Warden “well you can’t do thst, they are protected. But lemme ask, what do they taste like?”
Man says “they ain’t bad, about like spotted owl”
And raise rabbits
Mixed feelings on black bears - they don’t seem to have the same attitude problem as grizzly’s, so I lean towards leaving them alone.
Bacon grease is the best bear bait you can use.
Dump the bacon grease on the ground around your bait pile (donuts whatever) and every bear that visits the bait will track that bacon smell everywhere he goes.
Other bears in the area will backtrack that bear to find that bacon they are smelling.
It doesn’t take long for every bear in miles to find your baitpile.
Unlike the example here, ethical hunters can set up bait stations as well.
a hero, he saved your children from being eaten.
They were eating me out of house and home anyway and weren't pulling their share of the load.
You cannot touch the King’s bounty.
That said, bear baiting is horrible.
Others object to running bears with hounds. In West Virginia there are many counties that you can. And the bear population is thriving. They can become a difficult nuisance if you let it get out of hand. And no they don't trap and relocate nuisance wildlife when there are too many of them.
Those who object to modern game management are actually the worst friend any wildlife can have. Mostly out of ignorance or triggered feelings. Animals deserve the best life they can have consistent with population management goals.
A garage full of picnic baskets was the last bit of evidence the agents needed.........
According to another article I just read, he's moved out of state
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