Farmer to take fight over bear carcass to court

[February 26, 2009]  BOYCEVILLE, Wis. (AP) -- A farmer says he's ready to take his fight with the state Department of Natural Resources over a bear carcass to court.

Neil Schlough said he was harvesting corn Nov. 26 when he realized he had hit an animal with his combine. He discovered it was a 700-pound bear.

He called a DNR warden, bought a $75 tag from the agency and decided to have his "trophy" bear mounted. But, at the taxidermy, bullet holes were found in the hide.

A man from West Fargo, N.D., later admitted shooting the bear out of season while hunting on land his family owned previously. Charges are pending.

The DNR seized the bear as evidence. But Schlough wants it back. He said the carcass was legally sold to him. He's hired an attorney and plans to sue the DNR for ownership.

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Information from: The Chippewa Herald, http://www.chippewa.com/

[Associated Press]

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