MADISON, Wis. (WCCO) – Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources believe a bear was killed while hibernating, and are offering a $500 reward to find out by whom.
The DNR’s Bureau of Law Enforcement said that they were contacted about a dead black bear that was discovered on February 24. The bear had been killed and decapitated.
The DNR’s conservation wardens said the bear’s body was found in a ditch just off Rice Lake Road in Somerset Township.
Officials say it appears the bear was illegally shot while it was hibernating inside a culvert, then was dragged to a different location in St. Croix County.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the DNR hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367.
