Alaska: Hobby hunters illegally kill black bears on camera

A father and son from the city of Wasilla in the Matanuska Valley are accused of illegally shooting a female black bear and her newborn cubs in a den. They then attempted to cover up their actions, unaware that a wildlife camera had been recording the entire time.

The details are deeply disturbing, and the public is asking why anyone could be capable of such a heinous act against defenceless animals.

While skiing on an island, the two hobby hunters came across a den and spotted a female black bear. The hobby hunters made a spontaneous decision to shoot the animal. Owen Renner shouldered his rifle and fired at least two shots at the bear. Her cubs began squealing inside the den after the first shots were fired. The men listened to the sounds for several minutes before realising that the cubs were the source, according to a document. They moved closer, and Andrew Renner, standing just one metre away, aimed through his scope and fired several shots, coldbloodedly killing the newborn cubs.

The bear was fitted with a tracking collar, as were 20 other black bears, and had been part of a scientific project since 2016. The project was originally launched to determine why the black bear population in the region is declining dramatically, writes the Washington Post.

The entire massacre carried out by the hobby hunters was recorded by a motion-activated camera set up by the researchers outside the den. After shooting the mother, they dragged her out of the den, at which point they discovered she was wearing a collar. The camera also captured the following audio: “I’m going to get rid of these little guys.” He disappears with the cubs while his son waits inside the den. The young black bears were thrown outside into the snow.

Later in the video, Renner can be heard saying: "The collar is gone." Andrew Renner then said: "We'll skin her outside" and pointed away from the den. Owen Renner agreed and said: "They will never be able to connect it to us." They butchered the bear, packed parts of it into backpacks, and skied away.

The motion camera captured the hobby hunters again two days later when they returned to the den to retrieve the collar, pick up spent shell casings, and discuss disposing of the bear cubs. One of the men said he was going into the den to "make sure there is no further evidence."

Andrew Renner later brought the bear's hide and collar to the local wildlife office and claimed that he and his son had shot a bear on April 14. Renner told the authorities that he had skinned the bear and did not know that her cubs were nearby. Fortunately, the entire poaching ordeal was captured by the trail camera, making it clear that Renner had lied to the authorities.

The authorities charged both hobby hunters with various offenses, including the killing of a mother bear and two cubs. Under Alaska law, it is illegal to shoot cubs or mothers with young, particularly in the area of the island where the hobby hunters had been.

Time and again, children and young people are psychologically and physically violated and abused by parents who are hobby hunters. Such parents instill their disturbed mindset in children, turning them into potential perpetrators of violence and criminals.

IG Wild beim Wild

Update: Conviction

Andrew Renner has now been sentenced to 3 months in prison and a 10-year revocation of his hunting license, along with a fine of $9’000. His boat, pickup truck, hunting weapons, camper, and other belongings remain confiscated.

Owen Renner received 3 months of probation and a 2-year revocation of his hunting license. Both must also pay $1’800 in restitution, reports the Anchorage Daily News. More on crime and hobby hunting.