source: www.rgj.com/article/20111214/NEWS/111214029/Man-who-killed-f The Reno man who killed the first bear in Nevada’s highlycontroversial black bear hunt faces charges he illegally baited theanimals.Timothy Kawelmacher, 55, isscheduled to appear in Reno Justice Court on Monday. He is charged withtwo misdemeanor counts of baiting big-game mammals for the purpose ofhunting, said Chris Hicks, Washoe County deputy district attorney.“Itis very discouraging that the very first bear killed in thiscontroversial hunt is now the subject of prosecution,” Hicks said.Kawelmacheris charged with using apples and bacon grease to bait for bears on Aug.11 and anise oil for the same purpose between Aug. 5 and Aug. 20, whenthe season opened, Hicks said.Kawelmacher killed theseason’s first bear — a 9-year-old, 180-pound female — with a rifle nearGarson Road west of Reno on Aug. 20, according to officials with theNevada Department of Wildlife.He was later cited by game wardens, andthe bear’s head and hide were seized as evidence.Kawelmacher,who Hicks said has cooperated with authorities, could not be reachedfor comment. It appears he will be acting as his own attorney Monday,Hicks said.The hunter faces fines of up to $1,000 and jailtime of up to 6 months for each count, Hicks said. Additional civilpenalties of up to $2,000 for each count are also possible.“What is most significant about this case is that it was the very first year ofthe bear hunt, and there was a very heated debate about whether thereshould even be a bear hunt,” Hicks said.Since the seasonopened Aug. 20, 13 bears — eight males and five females — have beenkilled. The season ends Dec. 31 or once 20 bears total or six femalesare killed.At least 33 states have a black bear hunting season inplace. While some do allow baiting, Nevada wildlife officials outlawedthe activity when adopting hunting regulations.Forty-onehunters who successfully drew tags for the hunt attended an Aug. 6orientation hosted by the Department of Wildlife to make clear specificsof hunting regulations, among other things. Kawelmacher was present,officials said.Considering the controversy of the hunt,which was widely attacked by critics, wildlife officials stressed theimportance of obeying the rules.“You guys are under themicroscope,” Department of Wildlife biologist and bear expert CarlLackey said at the time. “Please do everything right.”