A man has been sentenced to five years in prison after shooting a black bear outside of hunting season with a crossbow he wasn't allowed to have.
The Express Times said Thursday that 26-year-old Kevin Young of Blairstown Township, N.J., pleaded guilty earlier this year to weapons charges. He was barred from possessing weapons due to a 2006 burglary conviction.
The dead bear was found hidden in the woods and investigators traced its blood to Young's home. Police said they found a crossbow as well as weapons including a shotgun, switchblade, dagger and hollow-point bullets.
Officials also said the bear was killed in July 2012, which is out of hunting season.
Young's attorney Michael Priarone declined to comment.
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