Wautoma woman bags prize black bear after backyard encounter

NEAR WEBSTER (NBC 26) — After spotting a black bear in her backyard, Wautoma resident Teri Jo Fendler decided she wanted to be prepared if that animal or another bear ever returned. So, she enlisted the help of a hunting guide from the Webster area to learn how to properly hunt a bear. What began as a safety concern quickly became a determined mission — one that would test her patience, skills, and resilience.

Fendler, who faced health challenges and mobility limitations, hired a professional hunting guide to teach her the right way to track and hunt bears. Within days of training around the Webster area, she got the opportunity she had been waiting for.

“Got my bear… one‑time experience… and I’m going to quit while I’m ahead,” Fendler said.

She learned that despite their size, bears ca