Comments on: Relaxing With Alaska's Big Brown Bears

Bears And People Get Up Close At Sanctuary, But Will The Animals Know To Fear Hunters?

[megan111s]

mdegutis, you claim that other people just don't understand, yet you can only assure us of the probable reasons. You don't know.

Considering that as many as 50% of animals shot are wounded rather than killed instantly, your idea of a quick kill is ridiculous. But convenient. Aniamals are shot and tracked through the woods as they bleed to deathe from internatl injuries. Or they are never found and are left to starve to death or be killed by predators.

Yes, starvation is sad but it is nature's way of ensuring that only the strong survive. That is what ensures that the population remains healthy so that ALL the animals don't suffer and die. Hunters do not kill the sick or the weak. They kill the largest bear they can, often the older males who are needed to keep the populations healthy.

[lancejjc]

My husband, son and I spent the morning with Max and Jerry on the day they flew to McNeil River Sanctuary. They interviewed and filmed several of us who were headed out bear viewing with Chris and Ken Day. We, too, had a fantastic experience watching as many as 17 brown bear (at one time)during the day. The 4 mile hike through the bush to the mouth of the river was hard in hip boots. These animals should not be hunted. They are a sight to behold, and nature at its finest as they catch salmon in mid air and dive for it with their paws. Our photography is awesome. Jerry and Max were genuinely interested in the assignment and we were pleased that a new crew was there trying to capture the moment. The Lances-Calhoun, GA

[bmarie318]

I really could not believe what I heard last night on the news. Why don't the hunt for bear where it is a challange. I thought hunting was a sport. If you go where the animal is not afraid of humans and kill them, that is not a sport.
Its like these fenced reserves that are popping up everywhere just for the trophy hunter to spend thousands of dollars to shoot big game.
I hope they decide to move the hunt where it is more isolated, and bears are not use to people.
Thanks for telling the story.

[bubbiesnme]

I think its a real shame to set up such a beautiful work of our Lords hads to be killed. This shows real sportsmanship to those big men. I guess they can only get a trophy if it comes to them. To me a trophy is something you work to recieve not take, and this would be taking since they want run from them. God will take this matter into his hands.

[mailai-2009]

Thanks for the link to the petition. Is there anything else we can do? People to write? Groups to send funds? Please let us know.

[sparty6138]

Here's some language you can use/adapt in an e-mail message to your friends to let them know about this issue.

Dear Friends,

Last night the CBS Evening News ran a story on the brown bears who live in the McNeil River (Alaska) State Game Sanctuary. A limited number of visitors to the sanctuary have been permitted to watch the bears up close each summer as they catch migrating salmon. This has resulted in the bears becoming completely unafraid of humans. The State of Alaska has announced that buffer zones adjacent to the sanctuary that protect the bears will be open to trophy hunters in 2007. Without a natural fear of humans, these bears will be easy targets.

You can read (or watch) the CBS report at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/14/eveningnews/main1894769.shtml.

I have just read and signed an online petition against the hunting of these wonderful animals sponsored by the Friends of McNeil River organization: "Oppose Hunting of Brown Bears Near the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, Alaska," which is hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mcneil66/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.

Best wishes,
xxxxx

[ebbyann]

I just can't believe that anyone with a heart could allow or take part in such cruelty. These bears are not hurting anyone only allowing some of the beauty that may be left in this world. With such hatered that exsists now among people is it fair to use these innocent animals just to kill for a trophy. I think not. This should be stopped and I for one would be first on the list to say "What is wrong with you people that would allow such a thing to happen"!! I hope that someone out there is taking some kind of steps to stop the horrible killing of these beautiful Brown Bears from happening. If there is a place to write or call I would like that information and hope that others are just as concerned as I am. I hope that a lot of other concerned voices will be heard.

[ahpmarks]

I can not believe that they are going to let hunters in here this is terrible and needs to be stopped. This is a great place for them and they need to be left alone they are letting too many people take nice places away from the animals it is time to stop it. Jamie

[nanniebee]

Why the need to kill these bears. I'm against this. Here these bears are people friendly and to take advantage of this is inhuman. What kind of people would do this. Please leave the bears alone and let them do what God has put them on this earth to do. Humans always have to mess things up. I'm an animal lover and to me this is animal cruelty.

[tlbedwell]

How could anyone think that it is ok to murder one of these bears, that is what it will be if "hunting" is allowed. Maybe the hunters should become the hunted so they can learn how it feels to trust and then have the ones you trust start shooting. This all makes no sense to me. Why do human beings have to be so heartless and cruel to others,animal or human. Alaska is a beautiful place, one day I hope to be able to return there, I would love to be one of the lucky lottery winners who are privileged enough to see these beautiful, trusting bears. Terry