Marksville man arrested for killing black bear in Avoyelles Parish.

Dead bear was found by hunter on school board property in November, LDWF says

A 30-year-old Marksville man was arrested Monday (Feb. 25) in connection with the killing of a black bear in Avoyelles Parish back in November, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries reported.

Derek P. Sayer, 30, was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail on counts for his alleged role in killing the black bear, the LDWF said.Sayer was arrested after an extensive investigation by the LDWF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A hunter discovered a dead black bear on a trail on Avoyelles Parish School Board property located 20 miles northwest of Marksville, on Nov. 27.

The bear weighed 100 pounds and was only 2 years old. After a necropsy performed by the LDWF, it was discovered that the bear had been shot with buckshot.

The Louisiana black bear has been on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species list since 1992, according to the LDWF.

Sayers faces a fine of up to $950 and up to 120 days in jail, the agency said. Restitution of up to $10,000 also may be charged for the value of the animal.