UPDATE (9:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 2): The Wright County Sheriff’s Office has released the following statement on the bear shooting in Albertville:
“Sheriff Hagerty reports that on Tuesday July 1 at approximately 7:45pm, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office communication center received a call advising that a black bear had been seen in the yard of a residence located in the 10000 block of 64th St NE in the City of Albertville. The caller stated that the bear had walked up to their sliding glass door in the back yard.
“A Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the area and located the bear a short distance away near a residence located in the 10000 block of Karston Ave NE. Shortly after arriving the Sheriff’s Deputy heard a single gunshot and observed the bear running towards the woods behind the residence. The bear collapsed to the ground and was found to be deceased from a single gunshot.
“The home owner contacted the Sheriff’s Office and advised that his daughter had been playing in the back yard when he observed the bear walk out of the woods towards his residence. Being fearful for his family’s safety the homeowner retrieved a hunting rifle and dispatched the bear.”
ORIGINAL STORY
Albertville city leaders are reporting a bear was shot and killed in one of the city’s parks yesterday, July 1.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office reported to Albertville City Administrator Adam Nafstad via email, issued by Sgt. Eric Kunkel, that a resident near Winter Park shot and killed the bear Tuesday evening out of “concern for children in the neighborhood.”
A city council member shared the e-mail with North Wright County Today Wednesday, July 2.
Sheriff’s deputies were on scene investigating the report of a black bear in the neighborhood of the park last night when the shot rang out. The park is located near the intersection of County Road 37 and 64th Street Northeast.
Kunkel said the man was in his backyard of his home on Karston Avenue, with his daughter, when the bear appeared.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been contacted, Kunkel said. North Wright County Today attempted to contact DNR lead officer Fred Bengston of the St. Cloud district (which includes Wright County), but Bengston is on vacation through the Fourth of July weekend.
About black bears:
General description: A large black (or sometimes brown) mammal with a large head, small eyes, erect ears, stout legs, and a very short tail. Bears have reasonable eyesight and hearing, and an exceptionally keen sense of smell (better than a dog).
Length: Five to six feet long.
Weight: Adults vary in weight from 150 (small female) to 500 (large male) pounds.
Color: Black, dark or light brown (in Minnesota, less than 10% are brown).
Sounds: Bears make huffing, snorting, and jaw-popping sounds when nervous or distressed, trying to repel intruders; cubs make humming sounds when nursing (an indication of being satisfied), and squealing when frightened or uncomfortable.
Habitat and range
Bears live in forests, swamps, and other areas with dense cover, but they also venture into clearings to feed. They are found mainly in the northern third of Minnesota, but range as far south as the interface between the forest and agricultural zones, where they utilize corn and other crops for subsistence.
Population and management
There are roughly 20,000 black bears in Minnesota. Sport hunting is their main source of mortality. Minnesota hunters harvest an average of about 3,000 black bears annually. Bear hunting license sales are restricted in most of the range to maintain a desired harvest and population size.
The MN DNR and Wright County Sheriff’s Office have closed the incident as no further action being needed.