ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Jody Williams is on a mission to protect bears in Western North Carolina, and he hopes to bring the community along. 

What You Need To Know

  • Three bears were killed and their remains found in Woodfin

  • Jody Williams is on a mission to protect bears in Western North Carolina, which is why he founded Help Asheville Bears

  • The state Wildlife Resources Commission says charges have issued, including no big game license, no hunting license and taking a sow bear with cubs at its side

“If I’m gonna get into something, I’m gonna learn everything that I can about it,” Williams said. 

As the founder of Help Asheville Bears, he takes bear-related phone calls and gives presentations to educate the community, trying to prevent illegal poaching.

Williams was saddened to stand next to the site of an active investigation where remains of three mutilated bears were left on private property in Woodfin.

“They didn’t try to hide it. They just did a quick dump and go,” Williams said.  

They are believed to have been a mother and two cubs, but according to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, so much was removed that the weights and causes of death could not be determined.

“Hunting bear is legal, it’s not in season right now,” Williams said. “There’s a break in the season, until mid-December, and then that’ll continue until Jan. 1. However, you only get one bear tag per hunter. This was three bears and who knows how many more this person has killed, because they probably weren’t reported like you’re supposed to. You gotta turn in a molar, so that biologists can study that.”

John Robert Bunkley Jr., 26, faces numerous charges, including no hunting license, no big game license, taking a sow bear with cubs at its side, unlawful possession and littering, according to the wildlife agency.

A dreadful smell came from Williams' gloves as he sorted through the remains of the scene.

“People most likely knew these bears, but of course, there wasn’t enough left of them to tell,” Williams said. “They are highly upset. The whole community and region is actually upset.”

He said hunting is a right, but there is a right and a wrong way to partake in it. Williams believes this was definitely the wrong way.  

“We’ve busted quite a few people, and I’m not just talking about North Carolina.”

Multiple news outlets reported the bears were killed in late November, and the remains were found in early December.

Wildlife violations can be reported by calling 800-662-7137.