A Forsyth County man was arrested in July after he allegedly illegally shot and killed a bear in the southern portion of the county.
According to an incident report from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened on the evening of July 18 on Marsha Circle.
A nearby resident called 911 after she heard multiple gunshots and saw a bear running nearby, eventually collapsing to the ground. The deputy said they found the bear on the ground beside a tree in the woods and not moving.
A nearby resident, Billy Cowart, 50, allegedly told the deputy he was in the front yard with his chickens when he saw the bear, felt threatened and ran inside. Cowart told authorities the bear ran behind his house and into the woods as he went inside to grab his rifle. Cowart then shot the bear.
The incident report said Cowart was allegedly slurring his words during the questioning process.
"[Cowart] said he was cutting the grass and may have had a beer," the report reads.
The deputy then determined Cowart was a convicted felon, and placed him under arrest for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm while under the influence and reckless conduct. He was also cited by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for killing the bear out of season without a permit.
