Overview
- Hokkaido Prefectural Police sent case files to prosecutors naming a hunter in his 70s, a course manager in his 40s, and the operating company on suspicion of unpermitted capture under the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law.
- The incident occurred on September 4 at a golf course in Sapporo’s Minami Ward, where the hunter fired and killed a brown bear without the required prefectural authorization.
- The Mainichi identified the course as Taki no Country Club and reported the hunter held only a deer permit when he was patrolling the grounds.
- Investigators view the circumstances as not meeting emergency self‑defense because the parties entered an area where bear encounters were anticipated.
- Police say the manager asked the hunter to patrol despite knowing he lacked a bear‑culling permit, and prosecutors will decide whether to file charges.