Singer accused of lying about killing of bear
August 17, 2006

DULUTH, Minn. -- Troy Lee Gentry, of the country singing duo Montgomery Gentry, has been accused of killing a tame black bear that federal officials say he tagged as killed in the wild.

Gentry, 39, of Franklin, Tenn., and Lee Marvin Greenly, 46, of Sandstone, appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson in connection with a sealed indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Minneapolis.

Authorities allege that Gentry purchased the bear from Greenly, a wildlife photographer and hunting guide, then killed it with a bow and arrow in an enclosed pen on Greenly's property in October 2004.

The government alleges that Gentry and Greenly tagged the bear with a Minnesota hunting license and registered the animal with the state Department of Natural Resources as a wild kill. Falsely tagging an animal as being killed in the wild is a violation of the federal Lacey Act.

Gentry allegedly paid about $4,650 for the bear, named Cubby. The bear's death was videotaped, and the tape later edited so Gentry appeared to shoot the animal in a ''fair chase'' hunting situation, the government alleges.

If convicted, both Gentry and Greenly face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine.

Gentry's manager, Johnny Dorris, said Wednesday that Gentry, an outdoorsman and hunter, expects to be exonerated.

Gentry ''relied on the knowledge and expertise of a local guide to obtain the proper permit,'' Dorris said in a written statement. ''Troy felt what he did was legal and in full compliance of the law and was surprised to hear of the indictment.''

Greenly did not return a phone message seeking comment.

Montgomery Gentry, which includes co-singer Eddie Montgomery, are known for hits such as ''My Town'' and ''If You Ever Stop Loving Me.''

Reported in the Chgo Sun Times

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Gentry's manager, Johnny Dorris, said Wednesday that Gentry, an outdoorsman and hunter, expects to be exonerated.

Some hunter.

Reminds me of the case a couple of years ago when the guy from Brooks and Dunn got caught shooting penned deer in that Russ Bellar mess up in Indiana. These guys are nothing but wannabees with a lot of money.

Just another IDIOT, with too much money and not enough brains..

I don't believe that this was Mr. Guide's first killing of tame animal in a pen. I hope they both go to the pen for a little R&R at the Concrete Country Club.

First I am not a fan but we do need to give these fellows their unalienable right to due process. If and when they are found guilty they should be hammered and hammered hard. It is all these people that are in the public's eye that shape peoples opinions on things like control and hunting. Something like this if it true hurts us all.

If convicted....big if.....Gentry will never see a day in jail. Too famous and too much money.

Boy George (you remember the weirdo from the 80's...Culture Club). He just managed to get away with a few days of community service after getting caught with enough smack that would send a regular low life with no money to jail for many years.

The 'guide' on the other hand will probably bear the brunt of this. No pun intended.

Well guide should do HARD time. If he didn't present the opportunity the rich guy would have had to do the old fashion way, The same goes for all those that try for the quick buck. People pass temptation every day in one form or another.

I hate that guys hat, too!

Gentry cheated himself. He could have had a great bear hunt for half of what he paid, taken a couple good bears and had the time of his life. Stupid!

That about sums it up.

I guess I don't see the problem if he is stuip enough to spend thousands of dollars on a sham hunt so be it. Is shooting a tame bear any differant then shooting killing any other livestock.

I don't see what the DNR is all up set about the got the guys lic. fees and didn't even have to lose a bear for it. Now they can sell another lic and make more money.

Like what was said before he could have had a really hunt and had a really good time.

The problem revolves around the definiton of 'wildlife'. We may have game ranches for elk, der etc, but originally those were suppose to be ranches that produced velvet antlers for the Asian market and the producers were going to develop local markets for the venison. Unfortunately that has never really panned out in North America.

We do not however, have bear ranches....we have zoos or private permits for a person to own a bear. So bears usually fall under the 'wildlife' category and there are no special arrangements between the Fish and Wildlife Branch and Ministries of Agriculture.

Lastly...........tagging a penned bear with a state licenc would infer that it was taken in accordance with all of the state laws. If it was a 'free range' bear, and a big one, then the next thing you know someone might be trying to put it in a record book of one kind or another. If you break state wildlife laws and transport between states then the federal boys get excited (Yes I am only a Canadian and I could be wrong about this......I am sure one of you will let me know if I am off the mark).

Sorry, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

WHAT A SCUMBAG!!!!!

Gentry ''relied on the knowledge and expertise of a local guide to obtain the proper permit,'' Dorris said in a written statement. ''Troy felt what he did was legal and in full compliance of the law and was surprised to hear of the indictment.''

BULL PUCKEY!!

Bob