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Ordinarily, something like this wouldn't be an appropriate subject for the political boards, but this incident raises a question which we ought to consider: At what point does supporting endangered species become a danger to human beings and what should we do about it?
This story reminds me of an article I read a few month ago about how Grizzlies are becoming so numerous that they're reclaiming their natural habitat...the plains. I always thought Grizzlies were mountain animals, but apparently that isn't so. For some reason in the past, they were pushed into the mountains, but are now coming back.
Of course, the problem is that there are people on the plains. This story, for instance, occurred around Great Falls, MT which is a good ways from the Rockies. In previous incidents, tagged bears have been found 150 miles out onto the plains and, in one instance, a Grizzlie was located within 100 yards of a school full of children.
Are we willing to risk our children to preserve Grizzly bears?
WARNING: If you can't stand the sight of dead sheep, don't click on this link.
The governor of Wyoming is in the process of requesting the Feds lift the hinting ban in that state. The number of grizzly bear attacks on humans is rising. They have been protected so long that they are losing their natural fear of man. Well regulated hunting practices will control the population as well as restore a sense of fear within the grizzlies, making it safer for hikers and ranchers in isolated areas.
Ordinarily, something like this wouldn't be an appropriate subject for the political boards, but this incident raises a question which we ought to consider: At what point does supporting endangered species become a danger to human beings and what should we do about it?
This story reminds me of an article I read a few month ago about how Grizzlies are becoming so numerous that they're reclaiming their natural habitat...the plains. I always thought Grizzlies were mountain animals, but apparently that isn't so. For some reason in the past, they were pushed into the mountains, but are now coming back.
Correct, grizzlies are not mountain animals, unless they have no choice. However, they do den in the mountains. Similar to polar bears, who spend their life on the open ice, but will come on shore to den in the mountains. Grizzlies can be found all over the place in Alaska, not just in the mountains. If grizzlies live within 50 miles of the coast and dine primarily on salmon, they are called brown bears. They are the same species, but brown bears are much bigger due to their diet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stillkit
Of course, the problem is that there are people on the plains. This story, for instance, occurred around Great Falls, MT which is a good ways from the Rockies. In previous incidents, tagged bears have been found 150 miles out onto the plains and, in one instance, a Grizzlie was located within 100 yards of a school full of children.
Are we willing to risk our children to preserve Grizzly bears?
WARNING: If you can't stand the sight of dead sheep, don't click on this link.
Anchorage has grizzlies living within its city limits. Around 50 grizzlies, about 400 black bears, and 1,200 moose live within Anchorage according to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Spring is typically marked with a mauling by a grizzly in Anchorage. We recently (June 14, 2012) had a black bear inside one of Anchorage's high schools.
In this case neither the children nor the bear was harmed. Police chased the bear from the property. Yet there are other similar situations were the bear was shot rather than put children at risk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iknowftbll
The governor of Wyoming is in the process of requesting the Feds lift the hinting ban in that state. The number of grizzly bear attacks on humans is rising. They have been protected so long that they are losing their natural fear of man. Well regulated hunting practices will control the population as well as restore a sense of fear within the grizzlies, making it safer for hikers and ranchers in isolated areas.
Grizzlies do not have a "natural fear" of anything. The hikers and campers who get themselves mauled by grizzlies or brown bears in Alaska is a direct result of their stupidity. They either do not know how to camp in bear country, or they are not paying attention to their surroundings. We also do not close trails if their has been a mauling, we just make people more aware. In Alaska, when we have a problem with the wildlife, we relocate the tourist causing the problem.
There is a reason man used Livestock Guardian dogs in the past. You dont see them much any more here in the states.
Just a bear being a bear.
Some of the biggest grizzly bears ever recorded in history were right here in the Central Valley of California over 100 years ago.
I always take my dogs with me (along with my Mossberg 500), for that very reason - protection. My eye-sight is better than theirs, but their hearing and sense of smell is far better than mine. By paying attention to my dogs, I can get a better understanding of what is around me than I would just by myself.
Whenever my mastiff perceives a possible threat, he places himself between me and the perceived threat and silently watches. He will not attack the bear, but he will keep it distracted long enough to bring my Mossberg 500 to bare.
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