Rep. Faison Introduces Bill To Clarify Killing Problem Bears

As bears and people increasingly come in contact with each other, state representative Jeremy Faison wants to clear up a current state law regarding shooting bears. Faison says he believes the current law is unclear on how someone can defend people and property from an aggressive bear. He says this is not about the bear that just stops to play in your yard, this is about the bear who is constantly coming back doing damage to your car, your home, killing your animals and putting your family in danger. Faison says that bear is going to keep coming back if they have found a source of food. Faison’s bill states that a person would need to have a reasonable belief that the bear’s action placed them in imminent danger and they would have to show why those beliefs were founded on reasonable grounds. You would also have to show that you contacted TWRA about the bear and the bear is still a problem after 10 days. Then you would be allowed to kill that bear. Faison’s bill is still in committee at this time. The TWRA says residents should for now pay attention to current laws and penalties regarding shooting a bear in Tennessee.