---
title: "New Jersey Man Arrested After Killing a Bear in Backyard"
description: "Officials arrested a man from Hackettstown, N.J., Monday for shooting a two-year-old female black bear in his backyard. Authorities found the 266-pound bear dead on Oct. 10 after hearing reports of an injured bear wandering into another yard. The bear left a blood trail in the street, and Sgt. Darren Tynan told the Daily Record a single arrow killed it."
date: "2012-10-18"
modified: "2012-10-18"
authors:
  - name: "Natalie Krebs"
    job_title: "Executive Editor"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/natalie-krebs/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/newshound/2012/10/new-jersey-man-charged-killing-bear-backyard/"
categories:
  - "Conservation"
  - "Wildlife Management"
---

# New Jersey Man Arrested After Killing a Bear in Backyard

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/22/UZVFWBZ2J2NK52A7GPY3S5U74Y.jpg>)

Officials arrested a man from Hackettstown, N.J., Monday for shooting a two-year-old female black bear in his backyard.

Authorities found the 266-pound bear dead on Oct. 10 after hearing reports of an injured bear wandering into another yard. The bear left a blood trail in the street, and Sgt. Darren Tynan told [the Daily Record](<https://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20121016/NJNEWS/310160023/Hackettstown-man-killed-bear-with-bow-and-arrow-claiming-it-was-attacking-dog-and-friend-police-say/>) a single arrow killed it.

David Denbleyker, 29, claimed the black bear was going to attack his dog and a friend, and admitted to shooting it with his bow.

"Our officers found his story not to be credible," New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese told [the New Jersey Herald](<https://www.njherald.com/story/19833089/hackettstown-man-charged-with-killing-bear/>).

DEP is charging Denbleyker with killing a black bear out of season, killing it in a manner not sanctioned by state game code, nocking an arrow within 150 feet of an occupied dwelling, and killing the bear without a hunting permit. A final charge by local police for weapon possession by a convicted felon topped off the heap of accusations.

Denbleyker posted the $5,000 bail and was released on the same day of his arrest.

## Author
Natalie Krebs is the Executive Editor of *Outdoor Life*, where she tackles everything from reporting digital features to producing podcast episodes. Originally from Missouri, she currently lives in northwest Arkansas with her bird dog, Hatchet.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://instagram.com/krebfish>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliekrebs/>)