Looking at it away from politics, the issue is if the bear gets used to food associated with people it will often seek out more to get more food. If the bear had attacked him, they would have had to kill the bear.

There's a reason places like Yellowstone slap you with a $2,000 fine if you willingly approach a bear. You're putting it and future hikers/campers in danger.

It wasn't a crime, but that's why it was a bad thing.