National Park Service Says Man Who Killed Bear Won't Be Charged

Gee, that's big of them. In a copyright AP story:

FAIRBANKS -- The National Parks Service will not pursue charges against a hiker who fatally shot a grizzly bear while hiking in Denali National Park and Preserve two months ago, saying his actions were justified.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the North Pole man told authorities he shot the bear after it charged his girlfriend while the two were hiking up Tattler Creek on May 28.

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It's still against the law to actually fire a gun in the part of the park where the bear was shot, but Fister said park officials determined "this was a legitimate defense of life" and decided not to press charges.

Fister said the area where the shooting took place is known to have a lot of bears. She said the couple was hiking when the man heard a noise in the brush. He turned, drawing his .45-caliber, semi-automatic handgun from a holster on his waist moments before a large grizzly bear emerged and charged the woman.

The man fired seven to nine rounds, stopping the bear. The couple then notified park officials.

Read the rest at the link.