RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say a former state senator is facing a misdemeanor charge after illegally killing a mountain lion that was caught in a bobcat trap.

The Rapid City Journal reports that Gordon Howie is facing the charge following the Jan. 31 incident near Hill City.

Howie served in the Legislature between 2005 and 2010. He ran for governor in 2010.

State law prohibits killing big game caught in traps. The violation goes against the concept of "fair chase," in which animals have a reasonable chance to evade hunters.

Howie says he is deeply remorseful about his actions.

Authorities discovered Howie's violation when he took the carcass to a Game, Fish and Parks office. A biologist noticed the animal had marks around its leg, a sign that it had been trapped.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, www.rapidcityjournal.com