Bear sightings in Massachusetts are common. Photo / File
A police department in the US state of Massachusetts has issued a warning to the public not to drunkenly chase bears through the woods with hatchets.
The North Adams Police Department posted the warning to their Facebook page on Monday night after arresting a man for doing just that.
"The North Adams Police Department is urging everyone to not chase bears through the woods with a dull hatchet, drunk," the department posted on Facebook.
"We understand there are bears in the area. If you see a bear, leave it alone and call us. We certainly don't need anyone going all Davy Crockett chasing it through the woods drunk with a dull hatchet."
The police warned there could be more arrests if others were caught repeating the hatchet man's behaviour.
"It is just a bad idea and not going to end well. It will however, certainly end you up in jail."
"The hatchet man was taken into protective custody due to his incapacitation from the consumption of alcoholic beverage. We are still trying to figure out what his end game was."
North Adams police Sergeant James Burdick told the Boston Globe that the incident was a first for the department.
"I've been on this job for 33 years and I've dealt with a lot of bears, but I have never had anyone chase one into the woods with a hatchet before," he said.
- nzherald.co.nz
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