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Bear's raid on freezer turns out to be fatal

The Associated Press

Published: September 4th, 2009 09:13 PM
Last Modified: September 4th, 2009 09:13 PM

FAIRBANKS -- A homeowner and a retiree combined to fatally shoot a male black bear that raided a freezer in Ester this week.

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State wildlife officials said it's likely the same bear that had been seen for the past week in the community five miles south of Fairbanks.

"It probably made its way into town, found food, figured it was an easy way to add calories for the winter and decided to hang around," said Tom Seaton, an assistant area biologist with the state Department of Fish and Game.

Seaton said the shooting was legal. Getting into the freezer, even though it was unlocked and on a porch, provides enough justification for the homeowner to shoot it, Seaton said.

The homeowner wounded the bear, then phoned Gus Wagner, who had a legal hunting license and a bear harvest tag.

Wagner said he found the bear in the woods and "finished him off."