(KTDY) - Authorities with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are offering a $3,500 reward to anyone with information in the shooting death of a black bear.
The large male bear was shot and killed in Concordia Parish on Nov. 20. According to reports, the animal was found off Blount Road on the Richard K. Yancy Wildlife Management Area.
The bear weighed nearly 400 pounds.
A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for information that leads to a conviction of the party responsible for this shooting. The reward includes $2,500 from the Safari Club International Acadiana Chapter and up to $1,000 from Louisiana Operation Game Thief.
If you have any information about this shooting, you are asked to call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511 or use LDWF's tip411 program by texting "LADWF" and your tip to 847411, or by using the free "LADWF Tips" app -- informants to remain anonymous.
Louisiana does have a black bear hunting season, but hunters must apply for a license and enter a lottery drawing to hunt black bears legally.
Killing a black bear out of season and without a state-issued license carries fines and time in jail.