Two suspects face charges after three bears were illegally shot Friday, according to the Wildlife Commission.
Chandler Godwin, Brandi Fisher and a juvenile allegedly used a spotlight to kill three bears between Smyrna Road and Peacock after legal shooting hours. An anonymous tip led Wildlife officers Dern Crilley and T.C. Stacey to the skinned and processed carcasses.
The bears were reportedly killed around 7:30 p.m. Friday, more than two hours after legal shooting hours, Crilley said. The bears were reportedly shot near a corn pile that was maintained for deer. While it is legal to harvest bears in the vicinity of corn set out for other wildlife, it is not legal to harvest a bear over the pile itself. Crilley and Stacey investigated the case after receiving the anonymous tip, and cited Godwin and Fisher on Sunday.
Godwin and Fisher, both of the Whiteville area, were cited for illegally taking a bear using a light and failure to register a big game harvest. Godwin was also cited with not having a bear stamp. A petition is pending against the juvenile.
Each of the violations is a misdemeanor, with the potential for fines, court costs and loss of hunting privileges if convicted.
