BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- A Louisiana military veteran killed the biggest bear during the state's first black bear hunting season in over three decades. Military veteran and Purple Heart recipient Deron Santiny killed a 696-pound male bear in its late teens to early 20s in Tensas Parish. Santiny was the recipient of a hunting permit raffle from the Healing Road Foundation. According to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks, it's the biggest bear he has seen in the state, bigger than a 608-pound bear that was killed in a car crash. A total of 11 hunting permits were issued this year. Hunters were allowed to hunt in Bear Management Area 4, which included Tensas, Madison, East Carroll and West Carroll parishes and portions of Richland, Franklin, and Catahoula parishes.  “Providing hunters in our state a chance at harvesting a bear for the first time this century is a big win for conservation, and to see our hunters have such great success with a military veteran harvesting a potential record-breaking bear is indicative of many prosperous black bear seasons to come," LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan said. Ten black bears were killed in the hunting season that ended on Dec. 22. Louisiana wildlife agency wants help tracking rare animal. Have you seen an Eastern Spotted Skunk? Read a statement from Gov. Jeff Landry. “I could not be prouder of the efforts of Secretary Sheahan and the entire LDWF team for making this black bear season a reality for the first time in over 35 years. Congratulations to each of the hunters who successfully harvested bears, especially to Louisiana military veteran Deron Santiny. Deron harvested the potential largest bear in state history, coming in at 696 pounds. Louisiana is finally back on the map for bear hunting, and we are only going to grow from here!” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry The Louisiana black bear was on the endangered species list for 24 years. Latest News Packers clinch playoff berth with 1st shutout in NFL this season, 34-0 over Saints Baton Rouge resident speaks about local YMCA facility closing Man arrested, accused of shooting dating partner in Ascension Parish 2 people rescued when California pier partially collapses Victim's father angered at 'despicable' timing of death sentence commutation