Man Charged After Shooting Backyard Bear

Richard Ahlstrand says he was filling a bird feeder in his back yard when he was rushed by a 7-foot tall, 400-pound bear. The 76-year old managed to squeeze off a quick blast from a shotgun, and the bear dropped dead. He says he was carrying the gun after he thought he saw a bear in his yard the day before.

Ahlstrand is now charged with illegally killing a bear, illegally baiting a bear, illegal possession of a firearm and failing to secure a weapon.