Reno man fined after admitting he baited bear
By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal
The Reno man who killed the first bear in Nevada’s controversial black bear hunt pleaded guilty today to charges he illegally baited the animal.
Avoiding a scheduled trial in Reno Justice Court, Timothy Kawelmacher was ordered to pay $730 in fines, fees and civil penalties and to surrender the meat of the bear he killed in the foothills west of Reno Aug. 20.
Kawelmacher said his misunderstood the law and thought baiting prior to the hunt’s Aug. 20 startup was legal, said Mike McCusker, a game warden with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Kawelmacher’s cooperation with authorities warranted less-than-maximum penalties, said Chris Hicks, deputy district attorney.
“I genuinely believe he misunderstood the law,” Hicks told Judge Jack Schroeder.
Kawelmacher could have faced total penalties of up to $3,000 and up to six months in jail for each of two counts of illegally baiting a big-game mammal for the purposes of hunting.
Sad and poor judgment by the hunter and by the judge. Missed a great opportunity to send the message…or maybe the judge wants to change the rules? The hunter knew what he was doing and didn’t misunderstand the rules. geez
P.S. How can anyone feel good about baiting an animal to shoot them?
Misunderstood the rules… really??? If there was no hunt yet, then what was he baiting for? That is a load of bear droppings.
master baiter