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Richard Ahlstrand of Auburn Massachusetts was criminally charged by local police after he shot a black bear that was eating bird seed in his backyard.

The 76-year-old man was feeding birds at about 9 p.m. at night when he heard a loud crash. This from WHDH News: “I grabbed my shotgun and I hit the safety off,” said Ahlstrand.
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Ahlstrand said he was defending himself when he killed a black bear behind his Auburn home.

‘Walking toward [me] was this big black thing and it was on all fours,’ said Ahlstrand.

Ahlstrand said he couldn’t believe it when police charged him with illegally baiting and killing a bear. He told 7News the 50-gallon feeder in his yard is only meant to attract birds.

‘I’ve been feeding the birds for so long now I almost know them by name,’ said Ahlstrand.”_

Ahlstrand was also rung up on an illegal possession of firearms charge as he didn’t have proper license for the shotgun or rifle, according to WCVB.com.

Alex Robinson
Alex Robinson

Alex Robinson is Outdoor Life’s editor-in-chief. He oversees an ace team of writers, photographers, and editors who are scattered across the continent and cover everything from backcountry sheep hunting to trail running.

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