EASTON — A man has been sentenced to five years in prison after shooting a black bear outside of hunting season with a crossbow he wasn’t allowed to have.

Kevin Young, 26, of Blairstown Township, N.J., pleaded guilty earlier this year to weapons charges. He was barred from possessing weapons due to a 2006 burglary conviction.

Officials also said the bear was killed in July 2012, which is out of hunting season.