Louisiana Wildlife Agents Cite Two Men and a Juvenile in Connection with Illegally Harvesting a Black Bear

Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported on November 23, 2022, that on November 21, enforcement agents cited two men and a juvenile for their alleged roles in the illegal shooting of a Louisiana Black Bear in West Feliciana Parish.

Justin A. Olano, 24, of Livonia, Louisiana, and Robert J. Salts II, 41, of Pearl River, Louisiana, were both charged with willful concealment of wildlife. Agents also charged Salts II with contributing to a minor's delinquency and his son with taking a Louisiana Black Bear during a closed season.

Agents gathered evidence on the illegal shooting and dumping of a black bear near the Mississippi River west of St. Francisville. Agents discovered a black bear skull in a creek near Cat Island Road during the inquiry and confirmed the animal was taken from Olano's property.

Agents questioned Olano about the bear and discovered that Salts II and his 15-year-old son had recently gone deer hunting on his land. Agents then questioned Salts II and his son, discovering that on November 5, they were deer hunting on Olano's land when Salts II's son shot at a silhouette of an animal moving through the area they were hunting, which turned out to be a black bear. After speaking with Olano about the issue, Salts II decided to pick up the bear and dump it in the creek off Cat Island Road.

Hunters are encouraged to always identify their targets before drawing the gun when shooting any species. Some Louisiana Black Bears are part of a long-term monitoring program that gives researchers data on black bear populations, production, and viability in Louisiana.

Taking a bear during a closed season and concealing animals intentionally both result in a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each crime. Contributing to a minor's delinquency can result in a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Olano and Salts II might potentially face civil restitution for the $10,000 replacement value of the illegally taken black bear.

Lt. Will Roberts, Senior Agent Nicholas Firmin, and Sgt. Mason Spillman are the agents involved in the case.

A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.