Colson sentenced for shooting black bear

A Franklin County man who illegally killed a black bear last winter is finding out that justice can be costly. Larry Joe Colson of Apalachicola pleaded no contest last week to shooting a black bear on his Gulf County hunting lease on January the 17th. Black bears are a threatened species. Gulf County Judge Fred Whitten sentenced Colson to 6 months probation. He also has to pay a $1,150 fine, forfeit his .30-06 rifle and scope to the state and see his hunting and fishing privileges suspended for three years. His license suspension will apply not only to Florida but also in 26 other states who are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact. Colson’s Gulf County hunting lease is owned by the St. Joe Company. The company has also told Colson he is banned from hunting on any of their lands for the next five years.