A Jefferson County man faces charges after shooting a black bear that attacked livestock on his property, a case that shows the limits of New York’s rules on defending animals from wildlife.
Gero told investigators that he saw the bear eating a chicken in his yard before he shot it, according to WWNY Watertown. The bear was later found dead with a bullet wound. I read the WWNY report, which says the charges stem from the state’s restrictions on killing bears outside of hunting season, even when livestock is at risk.
New York’s bear rules
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation generally prohibits killing a bear unless it poses an immediate threat to human life or is taken during an authorized hunting season. The law does not provide a blanket exception for protecting chickens or other livestock, which is what put Gero on the wrong side of the statute.
This case is not isolated. Across upstate New York, black bear populations have been expanding into rural and suburban areas, and encounters with backyard poultry have become more common in recent years. The DEC has repeatedly warned homeowners that securing feed and compost, and using electric fencing around coops, are the preferred ways to prevent bears from learning that yards offer an easy meal.
What this means for homeowners
For a New York homeowner, the takeaway is straightforward: shooting a bear over livestock can land you in court, even if the bear is actively attacking. The DEC’s guidance is to scare the animal away with noise or water, and to report persistent problems to the agency rather than taking lethal action on your own.
If a bear does show up, the safest response is to give it space and remove whatever attracted it. The charges against Gero were confirmed by WWNY Watertown, which cited state officials in its report.
The notice is published by WWNY Watertown at www.wwnytv.com.
