Louisiana man illegally shoots a black bear, officials say

ABBEVILLE, La. (KLFY) — Abbeville man is cited for shooting a Louisiana black bear in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) said.

Authorities said they cited Shannon R. Parker, 50, of Abbeville, for shooting a bear during a closed season. During the investigation, authorities said Parker admitted to shooting the bear with his .270 rifle.

According to authorities Parker admitted he shot at a dark silhouette that he believed was a wild hog and failed to identify his target prior to firing his rifle. Later on it was discovered Parker failed to have written permission to hunt on property at night, did not have the landowner’s contact information in his possession and failed to notify the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office of his intention to attempt to take wild hogs at night, authorities said.

The black bear was killed near Palmetto State Park on private land and died sometime around early March, authorities said. Experts said described the bear to be female, about 10 years old and weighed around 200 pounds.

In 2024, LDWF held the first black bear hunting season in Louisiana in over 35 years by issuing 11 tags to select lottery applicants. A total of 10 black bears were harvested during the open season from Dec. 7-22, 2024. In 2025, the black bear hunting season will be from Dec. 6-21 with 26 tags being issued to select lottery applicants.

Authorities said taking a bear during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to comply with wild quadruped times and methods of taking carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Parker will also face civil restitution totaling $10,000 for the replacement value of the illegally taken bear, authorities said.

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