Winthrop hunter sentenced

OKANOGAN – James Erickson, 52, of Eatonville, Wash., pleaded guilty in Okanogan County District Court Friday to 14 counts of bear baiting and three counts of unlawfully hunting big game and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 174 days suspended.

Officials say Erickson had baited bears for years, using donuts, bacon grease, fruit and other food to lure them to his Cub Creek property off the West Chewuch Road north of Winthrop so he could shoot them from his front porch.

“They’ve really made Mr. Erickson out to be a poster boy of hunting violations, yet he bought tags, the bears were shot in season, and they never proved he shot bears over the bait,” his attorney, John Brangwin, said of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

In the end, 60 percent of the charges were dismissed and five of the six defendants walked away without any penalties, he said.

As part of Friday’s plea deal, 26 additional counts of bear baiting and unlawful hunting, and charges against Erickson’s wife, son, daughter and two family friends were dropped.

Erickson will lose his hunting rights for five years. He also forfeited the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban used to transport bait and bears, and must pay $6,000 in civil penalties to Fish and Wildlife, along with $6,668 in court fines and fees.