GARDNER, Mass. (AP) - A father and son from north central Massachusetts have been charged with illegally baiting and then shooting a bear.

Following an investigation by state and federal environmental police, charges were issued Monday against 29-year-old Mark Burdzy Jr. of Orange and 52-year-old Mark Burdzy Sr. of Royalston.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that both face charges of illegally hunting a bear with a dog or by baiting, violating fish and game laws by unlawfully killing and possessing a bear, conspiring to provide false information during an investigation and witness intimidation. Burdzy Jr. is also charged with altering or forging a license.

The bear was shot in Royalston in September. The men have previously claimed the bear was killed legally.

They have been summoned to Winchendon District Court Feb. 27.