Bizarre, Criminal law, Environment, Society

Don’t Feed The Bears (On Cable): Man Featured on Animal Planet Pleads Guilty To Feeding Wildlife

Charlie Vandergaw has discovered the perils of fame. Vandergaw was featured on Animal Planet in a segment called “Stranger Among Bears.” He has now pleaded guilty to eight counts of intentionally feeding game and given a suspended sentence and large fine.


Vandergaw, 71, was facing 20 counts for illegally feeding game at his “Bear Haven” in the Yentna River valley, about 50 miles northwest of Anchorage.

Part of the evidence was the fact he ordered more than 10,000 pounds of dog food flown to Bear Haven but had no dogs.

Vandergaw pleaded guilty under a deal to receive 180 days of suspended jail time, a fine of between $20,000 and $72,000 and three years of probation.

With that fine, the rangers can now buy the famed 54-Ring-a-Ding basket:

For the full story, click here.

11 thoughts on “Don’t Feed The Bears (On Cable): Man Featured on Animal Planet Pleads Guilty To Feeding Wildlife”

  1. I know this seems funny, but I do a lot of work in educating people about bears. Feeding bears may seem harmless, but the reality is that once the bears associate human presence with food, eventually something bad will happen. It means a death sentence for the bear. People may think they’re doing the bears a favor, or they just “want to see one,” but what they’re doing is ensuring that the bear is on a path towards death.

  3. “be careful Ranger…if you can’t prove that I can sue you for slander!”

    from Yogi bear…no wonder there’s so much litigation in the US of AAAAAAAAAhhhhhh!

  4. Opps that could be taken two ways. It was suppose to be a bad joke.

  5. Bears are a little grizzly to eat and the after taste is awful….

  6. AY,

    Sarah wouldn’t pardon a bear.

    Shoot it from a helicopter maybe.

    But never pardon it.

  8. Never go camping with bears, they are unreasonable especially when hungry.

  10. I wonder if this will be one of her shows topics?

    The answer is yes but instead of feeding them it will be shooting them, from a helicopter.

  11. Sarah should interfere and give him a full pardon. Oh she can’t she is no longer Governor. She quit. I wonder if this will be one of her shows topics?

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