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Updated: November 22, 2024 BYLarry Z
A quiet mountain community in Arrowbear Lake, California, is at odds after a homeowner shot and killed a bear that was raiding his outdoor chicken coop.
While state wildlife officials have ruled the shooting justified, neighbors are torn about whether the homeowner went too far.
According to KTLA5, the incident occurred on Fox Lane last Wednesday night. Residents reported hearing multiple gunshots.
The bear, estimated to be 3–4 years old, had reportedly been skittish around humans in the past.
However, the homeowner, identified only as Chris, told KTLA5 reporters he had tried every legal deterrent to keep the bear away, including installing an electric fence and using bear spray.
Chris explained, “I did everything I can legally to prevent [the bear]… He still kept coming.”
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed that the homeowner had acted within the law.
Under California Fish and Game Code 4181.1, property owners are allowed to kill a bear if it is actively injuring or threatening livestock.
While the shooting was legally justified, it sparked strong opinions within the community and online.
Some residents criticized the outcome, expressing sadness over the bear’s death. Others took a more balanced view, acknowledging both the need for livestock protection and the regret of losing wildlife.
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“I think if Fish and Game says that it’s justified, it’s justified,” one resident said to KTLA5. “But I do love animals, so it does hurt to see it end this way.”
The incident has prompted neighbors to rally around Chris, offering to help reinforce his chicken coop to prevent future conflicts.
Meanwhile, the CDFW continues to remind residents of California’s regulations for handling wildlife threats.
This situation serves as a reminder for all communities in bear country: preventative measures like secure enclosures, electric fencing, and proper waste management are crucial to avoiding outcomes like this.
The Arrowbear Lake incident highlights the line between wildlife conservation and property protection.
While laws like California’s Fish and Game Code provide clear guidelines, they don’t erase the emotional impact these situations can have on certain folks…
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