Game warden seeks public's assistance in bear shooting

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game warden Tamie Laverdure is asking for the public’s assistance in tracking down the person or persons responsible for killing and dumping a black bear cub near Libby last week.

Laverdure discovered the bear’s body after receiving a tip Thursday evening. The cub was halfway down a steep embankment off U.S. Highway 2, between the highway and the railroad tracks, just west of Libby. Laverdure was able to briefly investigate the scene and recover some evidence before it became too dark and she was forced to suspend the investigation and recovery of the animal’s corpse until Friday.

In addition to the body of the bear, which she preliminarily determined to have been shot and then dumped, Laverdure also recovered several pieces of evidence. She also received a tip about an area man who allegedly told other people he was tired of the bears in his fruit tree and he was going to get his gun and go solve the problem.

Laverdure said the solution is to clean up fruit and garbage to prevent bear conflicts, not to illegally shoot the bears.

“We have a lot of bears in town because the berries are drying up and the fires burning in the forest,” she said. “People are frustrated with bears in their fruit trees and bears in their garbage, but that’s the price we pay for living here. If people harvest their fruit and secure their trash, the bears will move on. Shooting them is a crime.”

Laverdure said the evidence she collected at the scene will be analyzed, as well as the bullet she was hoping to recover from the bear’s skull. She intends to pursue every lead in order to bring the bear’s killer to justice. She said the killer is likely to face a much lighter sentence if he or she comes forward.

“I teach my hunters’ education kids that honesty is the best policy,” she said. “We all make mistakes, but it gets worse if you lie or try to hide it. If somebody wants to come forward, I am willing to talk to them. I can sympathize with the frustration, but shooting bears is not the answer. Honesty is the best policy with me. If you come forward and tell the truth, I’m much more apt to look for leniency. Ultimately, the decision is up to the judge, but honesty helps your case with both me and the judge.”

Laverdure asks for anyone with information to call 1-800-TIP-MONT. Callers may remain anonymous and may be offered a TIP-MONT reward.