Woman guilty of felony criminal endangerment for feeding black bears
Posted For: Emailed to TNBD
A woman who lives north of Canyon Creek received a three-year deferred sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to felony criminal endangerment for feeding black bears and other wildlife on her property, a situation that led to several bears being euthanized.
Lucrecia Medina pleaded guilty in August to one count of criminal endangerment. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and is prohibited from feeding wildlife. Two misdemeanor charges—purposely attracting ungulates and bears—were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. The charges stemmed from an investigation that began in September 2022.
Medina admitted to hand-feeding black bears, which caused them to become habituated to humans and created a risk of serious injury to nearby residents. She apologized during Thursday’s court hearing.
“I am so sorry. I live in the forest. I just see animals all the time. I just wish I knew what would have happened,” Medina told the court.
Her attorney, Cole Kostelny, said he did not object to the court’s order barring her from feeding wildlife.
“I think that would be a reasonable condition, and based off my conversations with Ms. Medina, I think she very much understands she cannot feed wildlife,” Kostelny said.
Medina’s father, Scott Medina, is facing similar charges in a separate case related to allegedly feeding bears and deer on the same property. Court records show he is scheduled to go to trial in April.
The case began after a neighboring landowner reported to FWP that the Medinas were feeding bears and claimed the animals were harmless. The neighbor said he was concerned for his grandchildren’s safety after seeing four or five bears on the property near Canyon Creek and Highway 279.
Other neighbors reported bears wandering onto porches and showing little fear of humans. According to an affidavit, a UPS driver said he purchased bear spray specifically because of the property and sometimes left large deliveries at the bottom of the road out of concern for his safety.
When game wardens visited the property days later, they observed eight black bears in the yard with little fear of humans. The bears were seen following patrol vehicles and lounging near the home. Wardens also observed feed containers, buckets and a mineral block on the property.
Several days later, authorities executed a search warrant with multiple game wardens, sheriff’s deputies and wildlife officials. During the visit, deputies observed bears exiting the home’s doorway and porch. A sow and cub had to be scared up a tree so family members could safely leave the property.
That evening, wardens tranquilized seven bears, including three cubs that were taken to Montana WILD for potential zoo placement. Four adult sows were euthanized due to their level of habituation to humans. A male bear that returned to the property later that night was also trapped and euthanized.
Investigators documented extensive bear activity, including destroyed property, bear scat, food remnants and paw prints on windows. More than 400 pounds of animal feed were seized from the garage, along with evidence of bulk food purchases. Bear scat containing corn and carrots was also found, and investigators discovered beef fat, peanuts, bird seed and carrots inside the home.
Authorities later reviewed Scott Medina’s phone and found text messages discussing feeding bears, along with photos showing bears on the deck and Lucrecia Medina and her son hand-feeding bears. Other images showed Scott Medina kissing a deer and deer standing near feed bins.
After several days with no additional bear activity, the Medinas were allowed to return home.
“Feeding wildlife is illegal and always causes problems both for the wildlife and for people,” FWP spokesperson Greg Lemon said in a statement. “We hope this sentencing serves as another reminder of why it is illegal and why FWP takes it very seriously.”
About Post Author
