Lafayette hunter kills 700-pound black bear

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Louisiana's first black bear hunting season in 35 years ended on Sunday after hunters harvested 10 total bears, including one bear that weighed nearly 700 pounds.

The bear hunts were reinstated this year after state lawmakers approved a bill over the summer authorizing the state to create a lottery for bear hunting permits. The black bear was previously protected under the Endangered Species Act, and was taken off the list in 2016.

The new hunting season lasted from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22. Only 11 hunters were allowed to participate after the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries held a lottery in September, giving residents a chance to apply for the highly restrictive season. More than 800 people applied for black bear permits.

Deron Santiny, a Louisiana military veteran and Purple Heart recipient, harvested the largest bear of the season, weighing in at 696 pounds.

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Santiny said Pointdexter Taxidermy came and skinned the bear, took the skin and skull and plan to make it into a rug. According to Santiny, the bear meat is now at a meat processor.

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