Gunshots at night lead to bear shot dead in CA. It wasn’t poached, officials say
After hearing gunshots ring out in the middle of the night, residents soon feared two bears had been poached as speculations swirled, California wildlife officials say.
However, “a thorough investigation” determined that only one bear had been shot in Eureka, and it was not the result of poaching, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a Sept. 9 news release.
Instead, wildlife officials said the bear was euthanized by authorities after it was severely injured in what was likely a car strike.
Wildlife officials said they got a report through their “Californians Turn In Poachers and Polluters” hotline on Sept. 3 about two bears that had possibly been poached, according to a Sept. 9 news release from the department.
Neighbors told officials they heard “multiple gunshots during the overnight hours of Aug. 30,” spurring speculation about a potential poaching, the department said.
A wildlife officer spoke with residents, then searched the area, officials said.
However, officials said the officer did not find any bear carcasses or evidence of poaching.
Through additional investigation, wildlife officials said they learned that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol responded to reports of an injured bear on the roadway in the early morning of Aug. 31.
Authorities found the bear had severe head injuries, was walking in circles and could not flee traffic on the roadway, officials said.
“To relieve the animal’s suffering and to ensure public safety,” officials said, CHP officers euthanized the adult male bear at about 4:30 a.m.
Neighbors’ reports of hearing three gunshots matched the number of rounds the officer fired, according to officials.
Additional interviews with residents and officials determined just one bear was involved.
Humboldt County workers removed the bear’s carcass on Sept. 2, the department said.
Officials said their “thorough investigation” led them to determine there was no evidence of illegal poaching or a second bear.
“CDFW thanks community members who report suspected poaching and polluting incidents, which play a vital role in protecting California’s natural resources,” officials said.
CALTIP, “a confidential program for reporting wildlife crimes,” is open 24/7; anyone with information can call 1-888-334-CALTIP (888-334-2258).
Eureka is in northern California, about a 300-mile drive northwest from Sacramento.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Gunshots at night lead to bear shot dead in CA. It wasn’t poached, officials say."
