Fla. man charged in killing of black bear

LANARK VILLAGE  — A Florida Panhandle man has been arrested after a wildlife investigator allegedly saw him shoot and kill a black bear with a bow and arrow.

Gene Strickland of Carrabelle was charged with one count of killing a black bear on Oct. 22.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the 175-pound female bear was shot on private property near the St. James Golf Course at Lanark Village.

Stickland is allegedly one of several people who hunt on the property.

Black bears are a threatened species in Florida and are fully protected.

A woman who answered the phone at Strickland’s home declined to comment.