Umatilla, Florida Man Cited for Feeding, then Killing Bear
A 48-year-old Umatilla man was charged last week with taking and possessing a Florida black bear, and placing food or garbage to attract bears. He is scheduled to appear in Marion County court at 1 p.m. on Sept.10.
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers, at around 9:30 p.m., Aug. 25 , J.C. Calton (DOB 11/18/63) of 20869 142nd Place lured a black bear to his yard in the Ocala National Forest with dog food and corn, and then killed it with a bow and arrow.
FWC officers began an investigation into the alleged crime on Aug. 26 after receiving a report of a dead bear lying on a dirt road in a remote area of the Ocala National Forest. The large bear had been shot with a broadhead arrow, dragged by a vehicle to the remote area and dumped.
Calton told FWC officers that after he shot the bear it died in his yard. He then used his truck to drag it to the remote area, where it was later discovered by someone who reported it to the FWC.
To report wildlife, fish and boating violations, please call the FWC’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if their information leads to an arrest.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came into existence on July 1, 1999 - the result of a constitutional amendment approved in the 1998 General Election as part of the package proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission.
In the implementation of the Constitutional Amendment, the Florida Legislature combined all of the staff and Commissioners of the former Marine Fisheries Commission, elements of the Divisions of Marine Resources and Law Enforcement of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and all of the employees and Commissioners of the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
Five years later, after consulting stakeholders, employees and other interested parties, the FWC adopted a new internal structure to address complex conservation issues of the new century. The new structure focuses on programs, such as habitat management, that affect numerous species. It will focus on moving the decision-making process closer to the public and did not require any additional funding or additional positions.
