Louisiana Black Bear Hunter Downs 700-Pound Beast in State’s First Season in 35 Years

Following the closure of Louisiana’s first bear hunting season in 35 years, news of the historic harvest has since made waves throughout the hunting world. As the celebration of yet another true conservation success story continues, state hunters took down 10 bears this season, including one massive specimen that captured the attention of state wildlife officials and even the governor.

According to reports, Deron Santiny, a Louisiana military veteran and Purple Heart recipient, obtained his first-ever bear tag through the state’s Healing Road Foundation. The program, which gives veterans a chance at connecting to the outdoors as part of their rehabilitation process, offered Santiny the shot of a lifetime.

Sitting in the stand with the foundation’s founder, the pair waited for four hours before the opportunity presented itself. It was then that a nearly 700-pound Louisiana black bear walked out and offered the decorated veteran his shot.

Leaving nothing to chance, Santiny took his shot and promptly dispatched his first black bear. After punching his tag and reporting the kill, the massive bear caught the attention of LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks, who stated that Santiny’s bear was the largest he’d ever seen.

Eclipsing the 608-pound bear Hanks saw that was killed in a motor vehicle accident, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also came out and said that it may very well be the largest bear harvested in the state’s history.

Officially tipping the scales at 696 pounds, it was not just Santiny’s first time hunting a Louisiana black bear, but the first one he’d ever seen with a heartbeat.

"I've never been bear hunting before," Santiny said. "That was the first time I've actually seen a Louisiana black bear, other than one on the side of the road."

With most adult black bears weighing in between 450 and 600 pounds, there’s no doubt Santiny’s bear is one that will remain in the state’s history books for some time.