State news in short

Townsend outfitter sentenced for illegal hunting

GREAT FALLS (AP) -- A Townsend man accused of illegally taking clients big-game hunting in the Lewis and Clark National Forest was sentenced to probation and fined $10,000 Thursday.

Lamonte J. Schnur pleaded guilty in federal court in November to five counts of conducting service or work activity which was not authorized by federal law.

Court documents say Schnur provided outfitting and guiding services to 20 clients, and received at least $56,590 for his services.

He was expressly denied permission by the Forest Service to provide such services, court documents said.

Hunter who shot charging bear won't be charged

HELENA (AP) -- Charges will not be filed against a hunter who shot a charging grizzly in October in the Scapegoat Wilderness along the Rocky Mountain Front.

State and federal investigators determined that no criminal activity took place, said game warden Tom Flowers of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

On. Oct. 27, two out-of-state hunters and a guide were searching for deer and elk near Halfmoon Creek southwest of Augusta. The three surprised a grizzly, which charged. One of the hunters shot the bear from a distance of 15 paces with a .300 Weatherby magnum rifle, FWP said.

''The bear dying was avoidable,'' Flowers said. ''The guide used poor judgment by taking the hunters into an area with known bear activity, but there was no criminal intent.''

The group contacted authorities immediately and took Flowers to the bear carcass the next day.

No criminal charges will be filed, but state investigators will forward an incident report to the Montana Board of Outfitters regarding the guide's activities, Flowers said.