For Release: Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tupper Lake Man Arrested for Alleged Killing of a Black Bear
Suspect in Jail on Weapons Charges
A Tupper Lake man was arrested for allegedly killing a black bear while camping at Horseshoe Lake in Piercefield, St. Lawrence County, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.
DEC officers charged Benny A. Haywood, 29, with: taking a bear during the closed season, hunting without a license, taking bear with the aid of an artificial light and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Haywood was arraigned in Clifton town court then remanded to the St. Lawrence County jail without bail.
Haywood allegedly shot and killed a bear that entered his campsite Friday night (May 22) with one shot from a shotgun using slug ammunition. The bear was found to have been skinned and butchered and the carcass was dumped at another location. Based on the evidence, Environmental Conservation Officer Joseph T. Munn charged Haywood with illegally killing the bear. Further, Haywood is a felon currently on parole and may not legally possess any firearm.
Hunting without a license is a violation; taking bear with the aid of an artificial light, a misdemeanor; and taking a bear during the closed season, a misdemeanor. Environmental Conservation Law violations are punishable by up to a $250 fine and/or up to 15 days in jail. The misdemeanors are punishable by a fine ranging from $200 to $2,000 and/or up to one year in jail. Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $1,000 fine.
ECO Munn was assisted in the investigation by Forest Ranger Lieutenant Robert H. Barstow and Forest Ranger William V. Benzel.
