
WYOMING – A Cody man was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl to five years probation for the killing of a grizzly bear in Park County last spring.
William Stoner was also ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution, pay a $5,000 fine, and undergo cognitive/behavioral treatment.
Stoner was hunting for black bear on May 21, 2017 when he shot and killed a female grizzly. He took the bear to Wyoming Game and Fish Department office in Cody to be registered in conformance with Wyoming law.
An officer there identified the bear as a female grizzly bear, listed on the Endangered Species List, and not a black bear.
Stoner was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pled guilty to both counts on Oct. 11.