Large male bear found dead near Holt; FWC seeks shooter

News Release

December 22, 2010
Contact: Stan Kirkland, 850-265-3676, ext. 212 from FWC.com

        A large male bear was shot and killed Tuesday night and the carcass was discovered near Holt in Okaloosa County. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement officers are asking the public's help in identifying the person or people involved.

FWC Officer Alan Kirchinger said a local resident found the 320-pound bear dead in the Guest Lake Boat Ramp parking lot just after sunrise today. The ramp and lake are south of Holt, just off the Yellow River and south of Interstate 10.

"It's obvious the bear was killed elsewhere, then transported to the boat ramp and dumped. We believe as many as three or four people may have been involved," Kirchinger said.

The bear had a previously injured left front leg and could be the same bear reported by Guest Lake residents for getting into residential garbage cans, Kirchinger said. FWC officers went door-to-door Wednesday afternoon in the area, handing out fliers about the shooting and asking for help.

It is a crime under Florida law to kill a black bear. The punishment can include up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

Anyone with information about the bear shooting is urged to contact the Wildlife Alert Reward Program hotline at 888-404-3922. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest.

Be careful this Holiday

Increased fatalities prompt FWC to reach out to boaters

(Click on photo for larger image.) An FWC officer checks boaters to promote safe boating. (FWC photo)   News Release December 15, 2010 Contact: Katie Purcell, 850-459-6585     With just a few weeks remaining in the year, 2010 has proved to be a tragic one for boating accidents. So far, there have been 76 boating fatalities, a 24-percent increase from this time last year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants Florida boaters to reverse this trend. "The most unfortunate part about these statistics is boating fatalities are usually preventable," said Capt. Tom Shipp of the FWC's Boating and Waterways Section. While the FWC patrols Florida's waterways and strongly promotes boating safety year-round, this year's higher number of fatalities prompted an increased emphasis on prevention. At least 41 of the 76 deaths were due to drowning, and the FWC has some advice about that. "One of the best ways to prevent a drowning is simply to wear a life jacket," Shipp said. "Boaters don't always expect to find themselves in the water, but if they do, a life jacket can save a life." There is a variety of life jackets available to boaters. New styles are much smaller, lighter and more comfortable to wear than the traditional vest-style life jacket. "The ‘belt pack' is worn around the waist. A ‘suspender' style is also available," said Brian Rehwinkel, outreach coordinator for the FWC's Boating and Waterways Section. "These types of life jackets are inflatable, and some models activate automatically if the wearer falls into the water." While a few unusual accidents have occurred this year, the majority are similar to those of recent years. They involve boaters failing to pay attention to their surroundings, neglecting to wear life jackets and operating at high speeds. "We strongly urge boaters to follow safe boating practices," Shipp said. "Pay attention to the weather and your surroundings, make sure your boat and motor are in good working condition, check all safety equipment before embarking, and don't drink and operate a boat." The FWC also encourages boaters of any age to take a boating safety course. To find a course or more boating safety information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating or call 850-488-5600.