Montana Couple Sentenced for Illegal Bear Feeding
Scott Bremes Medina and Lucrecia Medina receive deferred sentences following the euthanization of five habituated black bears.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Wildlife
Live Poll
Should residents be held criminally liable for feeding wild animals on their own property?
Scott Bremes Medina and Lucrecia Medina have received three-year deferred sentences after pleading guilty to felony criminal endangerment for illegally feeding black bears. The practice resulted in the euthanization of five bears due to dangerous human habituation.
Why it matters
The case highlights the severe public safety and animal welfare risks posed by habituating wildlife to human food sources. State officials emphasize that such actions frequently lead to fatal outcomes for the animals involved.
Authorities seized 400 pounds of animal feed including grain, cracked corn, and produce from the property. Restitution payments include $4,000 from Lucrecia Medina and $800 from Scott Bremes Medina.
The players
Scott Bremes Medina
He is a Montana resident who pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment for illegally attracting wildlife to his property.
Lucrecia Medina
She is a Montana resident who pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment related to the unauthorized feeding of black bears.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
This is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife populations and enforcing regulations regarding interactions with dangerous animals.
Montana WILD
This organization operates as a state-managed wildlife education and rehabilitation center for injured or displaced native animals.
The details
Game wardens executed a search warrant at a Canyon Creek property where they found the couple providing food to attract wildlife. The five euthanized adult bears were deemed too dangerous to remain in the wild after becoming habituated to humans.
Timeline
In September 2022, a neighbor first reported the illegal bear feeding activity to state officials.
Lucrecia Medina received her three-year deferred sentence in January 2026.
Scott Bremes Medina pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment in April 2026.
Scott Bremes Medina received his three-year deferred sentence on October 29, 2026.
Culture Shift
This case follows the enforcement patterns established by Montana's wildlife habituation prevention protocols. The legal outcome reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing human-wildlife safety over individual property management decisions.
Residents in bear-populated regions must strictly secure attractants like trash and pet food to avoid attracting predators. Failure to manage property safely can lead to felony charges and the mandatory euthanization of local wildlife.
The takeaway
Feeding wildlife causes animals to lose their natural fear of humans, creating dangerous scenarios for entire neighborhoods. Property owners should consult state guidelines to ensure their land management practices do not unintentionally endanger local bear populations.
Further reading
Learn more about local preservation efforts in the Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Montana Standard.
Live Poll
Should residents be held criminally liable for feeding wild animals on their own property?
