Sergeant Carl Hatcher of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said Stephen Tripp, 26, and Earl Outland, 23, were charged a day after they reportedly went into the woods on October 13, a Sunday morning, and killed the bear.

Outland, of Littleton, was charged with possession of a big game animal during the closed season as well as transporting a big game animal during the closed season.

Tripp, of Roanoke Rapids, faces charges of possession, taking and transporting a big game animal. Investigation by Wildlife Enforcement Officer Dustin Durham also led to night deer-hunting charges against Outland, Hatcher said.

“For this to happen and think they can get away with it is a failure in communication,” Hatcher said today. “Bear season comes in November. They're taking away the opportunity for everybody else, hunting on a Sunday with a firearm.”

In this case, Hatcher said, “They had killed the bear and notified other people. They took it back to the house to clean it and tried to keep it.”

As the black bear population, as well as its range, expands in Halifax and Northampton counties, the state has changed the hunting season. The first season will be from November 10 to November 15, while the second season will be from December 15 to December 27.

People wishing to legally hunt black bear during the seasons must obtain a Bear Management Electronic Stamp from the state.

As the bears expand their range, they have the tendency to become a nuisance, Hatcher said. “The perception that black bears are dangerous, black are not dangerous, unless they are cornered or protecting their cubs. The nuisance is they get into trash. They're hungry. They'll get into anything including the garbage. There's no need to kill a bear in closed season. There's plenty of opportunities during the season.”

The men are scheduled to appear in court November 25.

Hunting violations may be reported to the enforcement division by calling 1-800-662-7137.