LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- A Lafayette man may have taken the largest Louisiana Black Bear in history, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Deron Santiny, a Louisiana military veteran and Purple Heart recipient who grew up in Grand Isle and now lives in Lafayette, was on his first ever bear hunt last month courtesy of a permit he received from the Healing Road Foundation.

The first Louisiana black bear hunting season in more than 35 years ended Dec. 22 and included a 696-pound adult male bear harvested by Santiny, LDWF announced. The bear was the largest harvested in Louisiana during the season and the biggest observed in recent department history, officials said.

“We are so excited about the success of this historic black bear season and proud of the many efforts of our department, hunters, private landowners, and partners to bring back this treasured Louisiana species,” said LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan. “Providing hunters in our state a chance at harvesting a bear for the first time this century is a big win for conservation, and to see our hunters have such great success with a military veteran harvesting a potential record-breaking bear is indicative of many prosperous black bear seasons to come.” 

A total of 10 bears – eight males and two females - were harvested in the special season, which was administered by LDWF, and ran from Dec. 7-22. The season, in which 11 hunting permits were distributed, took place in Tensas, Madison, East Carroll and West Carroll parishes and portions of Richland, Franklin and Catahoula parishes.

Santiny’s bear was taken in Tensas Parish and is believed to have been in its late teens to early 20s. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks said it is the largest bear he has seen in Louisiana, topping a 608-pound bear that was killed in a vehicle accident. Louisiana adult male black bears generally grow to between 450-550 pounds. The bear will be measured after the 60-day waiting period for Boone and Crockett scoring.

“I could not be prouder of the efforts of Secretary Sheahan and the entire LDWF team for making this black bear season a reality for the first time in over 35 years," said Governor Jeff Landry. “Louisiana is finally back on the map for bear hunting, and we are only going to grow from here!”

The Healing Road Foundation is a veteran-founded and managed organization dedicated to providing life-changing outdoor experiences to wounded veterans, survivors and their children to help reconnect families and lead them on a path to rehabilitation and healing. The foundation was able to raffle a harvest permit for the 2024 season designated for a Louisiana military veteran.

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