Bear Hunted And Butchered in Cornell Dorm; No Laws Violated, Officials Say
People walk on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Two Cornell University students have ignited controversy on campus after legally hunting a black bear and bringing its remains back to their dormitory to skin and butcher it. The incident, which took place over the weekend, led to a police report and an official inquiry, though authorities confirmed the students did not violate any laws.
According to NBC News, the students hold valid New York State hunting licenses, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed that the hunt complied with all applicable regulations. The 120-pound bear, reportedly a young animal, was not killed near the Ithaca campus but in Region 4 — a designated hunting area that spans multiple counties east of Cornell.
University officials told the Ithaca Voice that while the situation drew concern, the students did not breach Cornell’s Student Code of Conduct. The code currently does not address the handling or storage of animal carcasses or raw meat within residence halls.
A photo circulating on social media showed the bear’s remains laid out on a table inside a campus dorm, which sparked strong reactions among students. The university’s unofficial mascot is a bear named “Touchdown,” prompting one student to quip, “No one has seen Touchdown lately,” according to the Voice.
Though no legal or disciplinary action is being taken, the incident has prompted broader discussions on campus about hunting ethics and dormitory policies related to food and animal processing.
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