Alaska News

Sitka man fined after killing bear, keeping hide

A Sitka man who authorities said shot a brown bear and lied about keeping it in 2009 has been sentenced to pay $1,500 and forfeit the animal's skull and hide to the state of Alaska, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Patrick Hughes, 50, pleaded guilty earlier this month to unsworn falsification and unlawful possession after he shot and killed a bear that charged him at Katlian Bay, near Sitka, troopers said.

Troopers said Hughes obtained a brown bear tag and permit after the shooting, lying to the Department of Fish and Game about the circumstances and date of the bear harvesting.

Alaska law says animals killed in defense of life and property can't be kept for personal use.

Hughes was also placed on probation for two years, banned from hunting bears during that time.

Reach Tegan Hanlon at thanlon@adn.com or 257-4589.

By TEGAN HANLON

thanlon@adn.com

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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