Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GRAND JUNCTION — Colorado wildlife managers say they’re discussing whether to change hunting rules after a man reported shooting and killing a large black bear in its den.

Division of Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton tells the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel the hunter didn’t break any rules. Hampton says the incident does raise “ethical issues.”

The hunter, Richard Kendall of Craig, defends his decision. He says he waited outside the northwest Colorado den for five hours, hoping the bear would emerge, before crawling about 6 feet into it and seeing the bear.

The Sentinel reports the bear weighed 703 pounds, about 50 percent more than most black bears.

The newspaper says preliminary measurements indicate the bear could set a state size record.

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Kendall told the Craig Daily Press, “You can’t even believe how much I respect that bear."

But some apparently feel otherwise, because, at least on newspaper forums, he's been getting a lot of flak for shooting the bear in its den.

What do you think? Feel free to post your thoughts.