This one hits close to home because the man in this story is a friend of my husband. For years he posted pictures and stories about this black bear. Hershel had become a regular part of his Facebook page, and there were plenty of pictures of the two of them together in NW Arkansas. Then somebody turned him in. Their friendship really took hold in the summer of 2022 when Hershel showed up badly injured from a fight with a larger bear. He could hardly walk on one leg and had a gaping wound on his neck. My husband’s friend fed him, medicated him and helped him recover. Hershel survived and carried a large scar from that fight. He never claimed Hershel was a pet. Hershel was a wild bear that would take off when unfamiliar vehicles or people showed up. But he trusted this particular man, and anyone who saw the pictures over the years could see there was an unusual bond between them. On June 29, four Arkansas Game and Fish officers came to his home. They told him Hershel was considered a danger and would have to be removed. He strongly disagreed with their assessment, but he also knew he had violated the rules by feeding him. Now Hershel is gone. His friend believes Arkansas Game and Fish either trapped or killed him, although he doesn't know for certain what ultimately happened to him. People can argue about feeding wildlife, and I understand why those laws exist. But I also understand why this hurts. He found an injured bear, helped him survive, and for several years that bear kept coming back to the one human being he trusted. Somebody saw those Facebook posts and turned him in. Now there won't be any more pictures of Hershel showing up to visit his old friend. That's a pretty damn sad ending to a remarkable friendship.