Bear cub killed illegally, $1,000 reward posted

NEAR MOUNT HOOD, Ore. - Oregon State Police are trying to track down who illegally shot a black bear cub that was found dead in a rural area near Mount Hood Tuesday.

Hunters reported finding the dead cub between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on a logging road about nine miles north of Highway 26 off Lolo Pass Road in Clackamas County, state police said.

The cub appeared to be less than a year old and was shot once in the head as it was walking on the road, state police said. Information gathered by investigators indicated the bear was not in the area the previous day.

Even though bear hunting is allowed in that area between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, state police said it is illegal to shoot a cub less than a year old.

According to state police, all violations of wildlife and commercial fishing laws and regulations are Class A misdemeanors, punishable by up to a $6,250 fine and a year in jail.

On Thursday, the Humane Society of the United States is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for illegally killing the cub.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center dispatch at (800) 452-7888.