On August 15, 2025, United States District Judge Byron B. Conway imposed a $3,000 fine and a one-year hunting ban on Timothy J. Collar, age 64, after his conviction for illegal bear baiting on federal land in northern Oconto County, Wisconsin.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Collar is a bear hunting guide who frequently organized hunts within the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest. Court records showed that before the 2023 bear hunting season, Collar placed several large plastic bait barrels at different sites in the forest. The barrels were left uncapped, situated near public roads, and exceeded size limits set by regulations. In addition to using oversized containers for baiting bears, Collar also caused damage to natural resources while accessing these sites.
As part of his sentence, Collar will be prohibited from hunting on federal property during the upcoming Wisconsin bear hunting season scheduled from September 3 to October 7, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the United States Forest Service.
“Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 15, 2025, United States District Judge Byron B. Conway ordered Timothy J. Collar (age: 64) to pay a $3,000 fine and banned him from hunting for 12 months after Collar was convicted of illegal bear baiting on federal property.”
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