Charges filed in shooting death of bear near Mammoth Lakes

A Victorville man who shot and killed a black bear on the shore of Lake Mary in late September has been charged with two misdemeanors: unlawful take of a bear and shooting in an unlawful area.

Roy Flores, 60, had been fishing with a female companion and claimed he shot the 175-pound bear in self defense. The animal reportedly had twice gone after their food. 

In an Outposts story after the incident, Don Barrett, who runs Lake Mary Marina & Store, said he heard the shot and was told by witnesses the bear was standing on its hind legs when it was shot. Flores used a .44-caliber revolver to kill the bear.

Barrett also said bears that visit the lake during the summer and early fall have learned to frighten anglers from their fishing spots, then steal their stringers of fish from the shallows.

Mono County District Attorney George Booth told Outposts the case against Flores is scheduled for Dec. 21 in Mammoth Lakes.

-- Pete Thomas