6 days ago
A New Mexico man was awoken by an intruder. It turned out to be a bear.
A New Mexico man who woke to strange noises in his camper found himself face to face with a black bear, leading to a deadly encounter that the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish told ABC News could have been prevented by proper food storage.
The incident occurred around 11:17 p.m. on July 12 when Calvin Stoddard woke up to strange noises inside his camper parked on Highway 65 in New Mexico.
According to Stoddard's statement to Game and Fish officers in a video obtained by ABC News, he used a handheld spotlight to investigate and discovered a large black bear had forced its way through the bottom panel of his screen door.
"I woke up to noises and things happening inside my camper," Stoddard told officers. "When I turned on my spotlight, there he was."
Stoddard then retrieved his 7mm bolt-action rifle and shot the bear in the head, killing it instantly.
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Wildlife officers who responded to the scene the following day documented significant damage to the camper, including a torn screen door, a broken window and a cabinet door ripped from its hinges. Officers noted that several cans of tuna and piles of trash near the camper likely attracted the bear to the location.
Following state regulations, wildlife officers removed the bear's carcass for processing, including collecting DNA samples and tooth specimens. Despite Stoddard's request to keep the bear, state statute prohibits individuals involved in such incidents from claiming the animal to prevent unauthorized hunting.
"This appears to be a clear case of self-defense," the investigating officer wrote in a report obtained by ABC News. "No criminal charges will be filed in this incident."
Wildlife officials remind residents that proper food storage and waste management are crucial in preventing bear encounters, especially during the summer months when bears are more active in their search for food.
