Posted on 10/13/2003 7:38:14 AM PDT by from occupied ga
MISSOULA - The leading expert on grizzly bear recovery in the northern Rockies says a bear mauling in Alaska a week ago was prompted by irresponsible behavior, and could cause big setbacks for grizzlies everywhere.
Wildlife author and filmmaker Timothy Treadwell, known to cavort with wild bears, was found dead Monday in an Alaska preserve. His girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, was also mauled to death.
Two bears were then later shot by Alaska State Troopers investigating the scene.
Experts say Treadwell was long ago warned he should stop playing with wild bears, because it was dangerous for both him and the bears.
He didn't stop, and other filmmakers began to mimic him documenting their own up-close encounters with grizzlies in Alaska and in Glacier and Yellowstone national parks.
Bear biologists said Treadwell didn't need to die, not if he would have followed standard rules for staying out of the way of wild bears.
"People shouldn't see this incident as representative of the behavior of wild bears," said Chris Servheen, grizzly bear-recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the northern Rocky Mountains.
"There is a lot more to it than that. This whole incident could have been avoided; it's a tragedy all the way around."
Increasing fear of bears works against efforts to protect and recover healthy populations of grizzly bears in the northern Rocky Mountains, biologists said.
Sterling Miller, senior wildlife biologist with the National Wildlife Federation, said he's found that whenever a bear injures or kills someone in Alaska, there is a corresponding increase in the number of bears killed "in defense of life and property."
"Many years ago, I told (Treadwell) that if he were injured or killed, a lot of bears would be killed as well," Miller said. "But he just wouldn't hear of it. He was very naive."
Treadwell was known to make camp in dense brush on trails thick with grizzlies, pressing in close as the bears grazed in deep meadows or fished the coastal salmon runs, breaking every rule the rangers imposed.
"The future of the grizzly bear will be built on the responsibility and ethics of the people who live, work and recreate in grizzly bear habitat," Servheen said.
"No, I didn't eat Treadwell. It was HIM!!"
shotguns used "by the bears," not for bears...
These are the same A-holes in Missoula who are trying hard to re-introduce grizzlies into eastern Idaho. They are constantly telling everyone there is nothing to fear having grizzly bears in bear-human contact zones. Luckily, Idaho has a lot of experience with re-introduced wolves that are now killing livestock and pets. The so-called experts can only hope to convince people that will never see a grizzly that this is a good idea.
This kind of news is a disaster for their propaganda machine.
That adds another dimension to the acceptable ways I care to see dangerous animals. Zoo, TV, and in the sight picture.
Good thing that shotguns have a very small bead sight. It will hurt less when the bear shoves it up your .... :)
In all seriousness get some serious medicine for bear; 454, 45-70 or 338 Win Mag at least.
Armor piercing slugs MIGHT work for a shotgun but I wouldn't be confident enough for shot placement with it.
Piss it off .... if you are looking for a handgun against grizzly, 454 is about the minimum .... 500 linebaugh would be an ideal handgun against one.
What you mean not everyone in Montana thinks that re-introduced wolves are wonderful? I was reading on another forum a couple of months ago where some nimrod was gushing on about how most people want wolves. Here is his quote. It's buried in a frame, so I can't give a good link.
If by "we" you mean the citizens of the United States, then you're wrong. A large majority of U.S. citizens supported wolf reintroduction, according to public opinion surveys done prior to the FEIS. ...The guy obviously has a screw loose. I might put up with living near them if there were other considerations, but I'd keep the 3 s's (and a rifle) handy.As for not wanting to live with them ourselves, how can you possibly deign to know that? I, for one, would be thrilled to have them living near me (assuming enough suitable habitat existed).
No, we all know that bears always act like Winnie the Pooh!
This characteristically incidious statement is marginally accurate, however, no one should be fool enough to believe that this behavior isn't possible in wild bears either. That's why the risk of having them among human settlements is too high.
This characteristically incidious statement is marginally accurate, however, no one should be fool enough to believe that this behavior isn't possible in wild bears either. That's why the risk of having them among human settlements is too high.
Actually Chris, this was indeed "representative of the behavior of wild bears,".
Human annoys bear.
Human becomes tasty bear snack.
It is really very simple.
WACO -- Baylor University has changed a decades-old practice of having a live mascot, a black bear, at home football games after veterinarians said crowd noise could agitate the animal.
The decision follows a protest that began last year by members of Chicago-based Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, or SHARK, who claimed the bears were driven into a state of psychosis because they were kept in a mostly concrete environment.
The facility on the Waco campus houses two female North American black bears: Joy, almost 2 years old, and Lady, almost 3.
School officials denied that the bears were being harmed and cited satisfactory inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
But the school plans to start an $800,000 fund-raising drive this fall to upgrade the facility built in 1976, said Larry Brumley, a Baylor spokesman. The "bear pit" will extend along Waco Creek with trees and more grass.
It's not the first time changes have been made in the bear program, which is more than 70 years old. In recent years, trainers stopped feeding the bears Dr Pepper when veterinarians advised against it. Dr Pepper was created in Waco in 1885 and is the official Baylor soft drink.
Colleen Gardner, a SHARK member from Salt Lake City, praised Baylor's recent actions.
"A lot of people walked by the bears every day and just didn't look," Gardner said. "I think it took someone from the outside looking in and saying, 'Wait a minute.'"
The flap started when Gardner's son visited campus in July 2002 for a debate tournament. Upset at what he believed to be mistreatment, he filmed hours of footage of the bears.
Since then, SHARK has filmed parties -- which have since been stopped -- held in the bear pit by the group of Baylor students assigned to care for the animals.
SHARK members attended parents weekend and showed that footage, along with scenes of bears pacing in their enclosures, from giant screens on the side of a truck.
Brumley said the school remains committed to keeping live mascots, which from now on will make only specially approved appearances.
"We determined that we weren't going to let a group like that, that had no stake in Baylor University, dictate our policies," he said.
An animal rights organization called SHARK.....just waiting for a punchline...we'd love to hear from you...our lines are open...
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Fig. 1. Approximate distribution of grizzly bears in 1850 compared to 1920 (a; Merriam 1922) and 1970-90 (b). Local extinction dates, by state, appear in (a). Populations identified in (b) are NCE -- North Cascades ecosystem, SE -- Selkirk ecosystem, CYE -- Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem, BE -- Bitterroot ecosystem, NCDE -- Northern Continental Divide ecosystem, GYE -- Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. As indicated in (b), a grizzly was killed in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado in 1979. | |
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Conclusion on my part is once that bear has an adreniline rush s/he don't need a heart, lungs or blood to cover ground at 40Mph or better if s/he's truly scared or pissed.
Best one can do at that point with any handgun regardless of caliber is use it on themselves pretty much. My last fishing trip up there two years ago I carried a Stainless Redhawk in 44 Mag loaded with Randy Garretts 310 grain Hammerheads "and" a Remington 870 loaded with slugs. My friends I stayed with have "bear dogs" which will scare off but not chase a bear. Good early warning pups. The simplest combination of a Bear Dog and a 44 mag revolver is lightest way to "see" the Alaska wilds IMHO. If your hunting big Kodiak Browns or inland Grizzlies (I can't afford to hunt them myself) then chose your caliber and ammunition well. Your life "will " depend on it in that situation.
Just my experience on the matter.....good or bad .....mine . I've been "playing" with the new 329PD from S&W and that lightweight is a recoil monster for anything more that 210 gr Commercial loads. S&W has tested this handgun only with commercial loads up to and including 240 grains. Think I'll stick to my Redhawk and Ruger Bisley in 44mag & 500 linebaugh and the 329PD will be a two legged critter stopper in the lower 48. Grizzly hunting these days is a trophy hunter/thrill seekers game IMHO. Aside from locals who know where to go and can get there a bear hunt in Alaska can top 10K . I have had bear meat before and albeit OK it is not something I really liked. I'll stick to game that provides food for my freezer vs a trophy for my wall anyday......Fish, Elk, Mule Deer, Javalina, Dove, Pheasant.....
Stay Safe !
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