Popular country crooner Troy Lee Gentry (of the singing duo Montgomery Gentry) has been accused of killing a tame black bear. What’s more, he could go to prison for doing so.
It’s a bizarre story (well, I think so anyway): Federal officials allege that Gentry purchased a black bear named Cubby for just under $5000 from a wildlife photographer and hunting guide then killed it with a bow and arrow in an enclosed pen on the photographer’s property in October 2004.
Now, nearly two years later, Gentry is facing charges in federal court for tagging the bear. The government maintains that Gentry tagged the bear with a Minnesota hunting license and registered the animal with the state Department of Natural Resources as a wild kill. Federal officials say they have obtained a videotape of the bear’s death. However, they say that the tape was edited by an unknown source to make it appear that Gentry shot the animal in a “fair chase,” hunting situation.
I read part of the court transcript and the government means business. They are not taking this bear killing lightly. I was stunned to read that Gentry (and the wildlife photographer who allegedly sold him the bear) could face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine if they are convicted.
I’m still wondering why anyone would want to kill a tame bear. Moreover, who videotapes the killing of a bear… in a pen… and edits the tape to make it seem like it was a legitimate hunting situation? I have to believe that Gentry knew that killing a tame bear is illegal (though, I didn’t know it was a federal offense), but then again, at this point, he is only “alleged” to have killed the bear and has yet to outline his defense.
I’m sure fans of Montgomery Gentry (known for hits such as “My Town” and “If You Ever Stop Loving Me”) will be keeping a close eye on this case and hoping for the best.