Relaxing With Alaska's Big Brown Bears

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

(CBS)  The spectacle plays out each summer at the world's premier bear-viewing area: Alaska's massive brown bears posing, wrestling and filling up on migrating salmon in the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.

CBS News correspondent Jerry Bowen reports there's not a more camera-friendly group of brown bears in the world, because over time they've become very accustomed to having human visitors watch what they do.

And it's a tough ticket. A lottery system grants admission to just 10 visitors a day, totaling just 200 for the entire summer.

"It's overwhelming," says Steve Roberts, who came from Minneapolis to see the bears. "You just don't know which way to look."

"It's a three-ring circus," says Ruth Roberts.

Some people wait years for their chance to visit the sanctuary. Cheryl Parker, of Fairbanks, Alaska, found herself taken with a skinny girl bear who was trying to catch salmon: "There's a girl out here who's a tiny thing, and it takes her a while to get that fish. But once she gets it, she tears off with it."

The sanctuary is located a float plane ride over Cooke Inlet on the Katmai Peninsula, just past the still-steaming Augustine volcano. Once there, it's a four-mile hike to experience the ultimate bear tale.

Close encounters are common, and, as Bowen discovered, unnerving.

A young bear looked to Bowen for a little help with other, bigger, bears who wanted his fish. Guides shooed him off, but retired sanctuary manager Larry Aumiller said it's another sign that these are not your average bears.

"They're so confident and so unconcerned about us and what we're going to do, that they're relaxed enough to play," Aumiller says. "It's great."

Therein lies the problem. McNeil's bears may be too relaxed for what's about to happen, when, one year from now, adjacent buffer zones that protect them will be opened to trophy hunters. It's led Aumiller to retire, because he fears he's set the bears up for disaster.

He says, "When you finally get there, and they finally trust you, and you know that trust is going to be violated, I don't know how to describe it except to say it's heartbreaking."

[eislady]

I think it is sick, pathetic, and disgusting that we have taught these beautiful creatures (brown bears) to trust us, then we open the doors to a bunch of barbarians with firearms so they can blow them away in a heartbeat and drag home the remnants to hang on their wall to boost their egos and entertain their friends. Does ANYONE in this country care anymore about preserving our wildlife, our environment, and our natural resources?

[sherimcl1]

My family and I are against trophy hunters shooting these bears. We thought that this was an area that protected these beautiful creatures from harm. What can Americans do to stop this from happening?

[redrover46]

I remember a PRESIDENT who cared about bears, enough that they even named a stuffed animal after him, TEADDYBEAR. Why can't we stop this very stupid action of opening the areas around these beautiful beasts?

[leia9]

I think it's horrible that these bears are going to be subject to this kind of hunting. These bears are used to living in comfortable sanctuary. It is unfair to consider it hunting when the bears will walk right up to people. It's so important to preserve sanctuaries like this one. Wild life is something to be treasured. I'm not against hunting. I simply would like to see animals that are this used to people perserved rather than hunted.

[keysm1]

It is wrong to allow hunting of animals that have become used to humans. Come on all animal groups. With PETA these gamehunters will not have a chance.Come on people . We have to stand up for what is right or the bad will become commonplace.

[kbraeford]

In 1902, our then president, Theodore Roosevelt, ordered a bear cub be set free. It had been tied to a tree to make it easier to kill. President Roosevelt felt it was not sportsmanlike to kill the captured bear. Allowing trophy hunters into the McNeill River State Game Santuary would be equally unsportsman. The bears that reside would be slaughtered! What can we do to stop this cruel act from occuring?

[swdepp]

This is just obscene. Who can reverse this decision and how can we stop this? This area and Brook's Falls are some of the only places one can witness this wonderful spectacle. It must be preserved.

[rhglover]

Great idea. I am all in favor of letting hunters in. Just have them leave their guns at home and lets see how they do. Seriously though, how can we stop this from happening?

[kphipps2]

The story about brown bears was wonderful until the end when I found out the bears are soon to be victims of hunters taking advantage of their lack of fear of humans. Opening up those buffer zones for hunting is no less dispicable than caging animals and letting so called hunters shoot them. I would love to know what halfbrained lawmakers thought this was a good idea. Maybe the next newsstory should be an investigation of who paid who off to make it happen.

[tregre1]

After watching the story "Relaxing With Alaska's Big Brown Bears" I am overwhelmed with a need to do anything I can to stop the poachers that will be allowed into McNeil River States Game Santuary a year from now to KILL these amazing harmless brown bears. Is there anything that can be done to stop this? Is there anyone to contact? I am convinced that if there is a way, this will be stopped.
These bears, as reported in the CBS news story have "become accustomed to having human visitors", and are described as "confident, unconcerned and relaxed". It is heartbreaking to think that people are going to SHOOT THEM DEAD when the bears are innocent creatures. Those people should join the Armed Forces and do something productive for our country instead.
Please follow-up this story with contact information on how to stop this unecessary KILLING!

[CaddyShaq]

Who is allowing the trophy hunters to kill innocent animals? If these hunters are "Trophy" hunters why do they feel the need to hunt domesticated bears? That is sick! Who is in control of the buffer zones that have protected the bears this long and is there anything I can do to fight this decision? How can these individuals call themselves real trophy hunters if they can hunt bears who have gained man's trust over time? These bears are not only nieve but they are admired from a rare point of view. Why kill and take advantage of something so beautiful when people can finally relax while visiting a true nature sanctuary? How can I protest? Sincerely, The Holman's

[stownfoxx]

Seeing bears behave like bears in our overpopulated, devastated ecosystem truly spoke to me. I cannot believe that our government would be so ignorant as to let hunters ravage the small population of these noble creatures. If there is some sort of petition or help I could offer, I'd like to get involved. Please, CBS, post a link to steer people like me to help solve this problem.

[flbearlover-2009]

After watching your story on the trust these bears have for humans it appalled and disgusted me that because of this trust these animals would be "sitting ducks" for trophy hunters. There has to be something done about this. It should not and cannot be allowed to happen to these animals. Please tell us how we can help!!!

[davidwstew]

Thank you for exposing this outrage, to people in the country who may not know whats going on up in Alaska.
A few people were appointed to Alaskas game board, have voted to remove protections around the McNeil River Game Sanctuary. These 'few' should not be able to dictate the future of an 'American' resource..the Brown Bear. People who read this post please get involved. Read the August 2006 issue of Alaska Magazine, for insight into this issue.
I'm not an anti hunter. But this is an outrage. McNeil River plays host to the most pristine concentration of Brown Bear on the planet. If you can help...please get involved. Fall 2007 is the target date for protections to cease. A lawsuit can stop this. Please contact any friends at the Department of the Interior, and urge their involvement. Thanks.

[ericas4]

This story makes me sick but to tell you the truth, nothing surprises me anymore. After recently learning about all the DISGUSTING ways animals are treated, I have come to realize what a large amount of animals are suffering on a daily basis.
ANIMAL TESTING makes this story pale in comparisson in terms of the pain and suffering that such animals endure.
And factory farming (and KFC in particular!) causis MASS unecessary suffering.
I know its off topic but please take a look on the PETA website because its time for people to stop turning a blind eye to all of this.
Also consider meat and dairy products, in which animals are not treated like objects but as the living, feeling beings they are.
CBS...you should very much do an investigation on animal testing undergone by colgate, l'oreal, etc. as well as FACTORY FARMING and the sick reality behind the eggs, meat, and milk most people eat.

[chicabear1]

As I watched the last news story this evening, tears welled up in my eyes. The killing of these bears in Alaska is one of the MOST HORRIBLE act humans can do. If I could do anything to help save the bears, I would! How can humans kill in the name of sport??!! Lawmakers,,,,WAKE UP! This can't happen. Please let me know how I can help prevent this cruel and hateful plot to kill.

[ericas4]

Lets DO SOMETHING and make a difference.
CBS, please let us know what we can do to stop this injustice!

[hannahpenney]

Sadly, I am not surprised that our government has sactioned such barbaric actions as to allow trophy hunting of the same bears that others have waited years to just sit and watch. These poor bears have acclaimated to us, nad now the trophy hunters want to capitolize on this. Haven't we learned any thing over time. We have upset nature in every thing that we have touched with our greed and our cruelty. Even in Africa, countries have learned that preservation sells. People no longer go on hunting safaris, but now go on photo safairs. Preservation is as important to our existance and fighting polution. When will we learn from this. Ii is shameful to even admit that our country would allow such slaughter to occur.

[windem1]

I agree with all posters against "trophy" hunters being allowed to intrude on a buffer zone that has been established. Let us know what we can do to end this violation of the public trust. I'm contacting the Department of the Interior by email and mail, as well as contacting my congressman.

[dlheldt]

Who is responsable for this decision? It's unconscionable that we would have acculturated the bears (or any other animal) to us, and then turn the hunters loose on them. I can see "shooting bears in a barrel" becoming a new watch phrase for something so one sided. Let's try to nip this before it goes any farther.

[andreac3099]

Stories like this make me sick, really no place is sacred anymore. I'd also like to know if there is a petition or anything that can be done to change this.

[merrilllowde]

I, too, visited McNeil this July and was shocked to learn of the proposal to hunt these bears in 2007. Not only is this barbaric and cruel, such management violates the Alaska Constitution's "common use" clause: wildlife resources are preserved for the common use of all the people. Obviously, the trophy hunter who bags a bear, takes it from the rest of us. This hunt will forever destroy the purpose of the Sanctuary. Support the Friends of McNeil River (www.mcneilbears.org) to oppose this sadistic trophy hunting. Also, write the Alaska Board of Game c/o ADF&G Boards Support Section, P.O.Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802-5526 to protest this proposed hunt. Merrill Lowden

[compassconmi]

I guess this is why I loved Bernies' book, "Bias". We have a situation where the bears are exploited over a number of years. Then you construct a report which in effect casts a negative light on hunters. (Your depictition of a bear hunter dressed head to toe in orange, shooting a high powered rifle from the standing position was not only disingenuous, it was dishonest. What state did this file tape come from? Bottom line: it is sad that the bears were exploited for $$$$$ over the past 40+ years. I am not even a scientist and I could predict the outcome of regular human contact with the natural world. Dah! I hope Aumiller enjoys his pension while his "friends" are slaughtered. And make no mistake! I am NOT against hunting. I hunt. But my rule is I eat what I hunt. If I liked to eat bear, I would probably be one of those hunters contributing to the State cofers as did all those folks who thought it would be a "gas" to go see some bears in thier "natural habitat".
Aumiller- we are all human. We make mistakes. You came from the correct place (I assume) Turn your pain into a positive force. CBS- PLEASE stop with the BIAS! I love you, Bob but come on- speak up! What are they going to do to you? You are in the catbird seat. We are out here waiting for you to come through. towing the corporate line my be easy but it is not admirable in this case. Bernie put it on the line. you might think he a rebel- I think he a hero. especially when you consider what he had and d

[innovation22]

Unbelievable! Is there intelligent life on this planet?

Here's an idea. What if we took all of the folks who signed up for the lottery and "minutemanned" the buffer zones in a way to keep the bears safe within?

Perhaps the gentleman who retired in disgust could lead the effort. We could even go high-tech with drones, cameras and other "watching" systems so we would know where we need to be.

I for one would be quite willing to donate to help . . . I think a lot of people would even pay their own way to get there to help.

Please let us all know and let's get the discussion happening around WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP!

Keep up the great work of doing these stories that need to be told.

R. Smith
Toronto, Canada

[davidwstew]

A primary election is coming up in Alaska, this August, for Governor. Current Governor, Frank Murkowski, is the person you can thank for the McNeil River outrage. You see.. his hand picked appointees, to the Alaska Game Board, are the ones who voted to remove protections on bears in the McNeil River area.
Politicians only understand one thing...votes! Let the Governor know, now & on election day,what you think of this outrage. Cast your support for someone other than Governor Murkowski.

[chicabear1]

You better believe I'm going to contact the Dept. of the Interior, the congressman, state representatives, my neighbors, etc. THIS KILLING OF INNOCENT BEARS IS OUTRAGEOUS! This just can't happen! I'll be following this story very closely to see what I can do to save these innocent creatures.

[chicabear1]

You better believe I'm going to contact the Dept. of the Interior, the congressman, state representatives, my neighbors, etc. THIS KILLING OF INNOCENT BEARS IS OUTRAGEOUS! This just can't happen! I'll be following this story very closely to see what I can do to save these innocent creatures.

[dogrunner78]

I was appalled at your story about the %u201CBears of Summer%u201D and the prospect of opening up hunting to trophy hunters of these intelligent animals that have learned to trust humans because of the way they%u2019ve been treated until now. Have they been notified in their newspapers and on their television broadcasts that their world is about to have a new danger? Or will we drop leaflets to warn them of their impending doom? Personally, I can%u2019t stand trophy hunting anyway because I view most who participate in it as people with rather weak egos who are willing to spend a bunch of money (more than most average people possess) to gratify their sense of self-importance by killing an animal and having it stuffed, or hanging the head on the wall. In fact, in my experience many of them don%u2019t even care about the meat%u2013their orientation is simply the kill, which I see as very odd. And I%u2019m a hunter! I could not, however, ever kill a bear except in self-defense. They%u2019re just too much like playful, innocent humans. I hope there is some way this ridiculous decision can be reversed. Obviously it is a resource as it now exists. What could have possibly motivated this policy change? It seems ill-thought-out and catering to special interests. Very sad!

[dogrunner78]

(Reposted to correct errors).
I was appalled at your story about the "Bears of Summer" and the prospect of opening up hunting to trophy hunters of these intelligent animals that have learned to trust humans because of the way they've been treated until now. Have they been notified in their newspapers and on their television broadcasts that their world is about to have a new danger? Or will we drop leaflets to warn them of their impending doom? Personally, I can't stand trophy hunting anyway because I view most who participate in it as people with rather weak egos who are willing to spend a bunch of money (more than most average people possess) to gratify their sense of self-importance by killing an animal and having it stuffed, or hanging the head on the wall. In fact, in my experience many of them don't even care about the meat%u2013their orientation is simply the kill, which I see as very odd. And I'm a hunter! I could not, however, ever kill a bear, except in self-defense. They%u2019re just too much like playful, innocent humans. I hope there is some way this ridiculous decision can be reversed. Obviously it is a resource as it now exists. What could have possibly motivated this policy change? It seems ill-thought-out and catering to special interests. Very sad!

[deb437]

I was also so enjoying this story and then pow, I felt like my heart was ripped out. I cried and cried and then got up and said NO! This has to be stopped. Please, please let us know what we can do to change this. I am planning on doing the things suggested above - going to www.mcneilbears.org website and signing up and writing to the Department of the Interior - but what else - this just can't happen - it is so incredibly awful.

[davidwstew]

For those of you that want to help....one way would be to contact the Vital Ground Organization, in Missoula Montana. These people put their $, where there mouth is. Gary Wolfe at Vital Ground is aware of this issue in AK. Maybe with his Brad Pitt contacts we can mount a huge movement and buy the area. Vital Ground buys up tracts of Griz land in MT and currently owns (I think)about 300,000 acres.

[ttusa-2009]

I was one of the VERY fortunate people to behold the sight of the Grizzly Bears of McNeil River, Alaska. These bears migrate about sixty miles to this Sanctuary to fortify their bodies with Chum Salmon. It's ludicrous to think that the political powers in Alaska are going to allow hunting in these well traveled buffer zones. I would compare this to shooting your own dog! Many years have gone into establishing trust with these magnificent Grizzly Bears only for them to lose their lives unnecessarily. Alaska is a huge state,and there are plenty other places to allow trophy hunting of Grizzly Bears. Visiting McNeil River Sanctuary has been a life changing event for me. Please come to your senses Alaskans ,and save this special place!

[shredder220]

As unfortunate as it may seem to most, the reality of managing the population for healthier bears in the region makes this a must do by the Alaska DNR. Without sound management of the resources, bears included, what we have today will expire as the population outgrows the sanctuary or a devistating disease wipes out the genetically similar population.

[sparty6138]

I was appalled and outraged by this report. A special place in hell will be reserved for the people who shoot at these bears (and the inane bureaucrats who are making such an unthinkable thing possible). I assume that the Friends of McNeil River group has explored the idea of suing the state or obtaining an injunction?

[pjennings125]

I could not believe what I heard, I always found Alaska to be a place of beauty boardering on the spiritual. I have written and emailed everyone I could think of to stop this. It is not because of over population, or danger, I can only assuming this being America it is for the almighty dollar. Just like the thugs that shoot you for your gold chain those poor creatures will be shoot for their heads on a wall.

What a disgrace, you can bet I will never go or spend another cent in Alaska, and I will plead with my friends to do the same.

Thanks CBS for opening our eyes to this

[ladylad-2009]

Me and my wife find this totaly discusting,I have hunted for 40 years,and always believed in giving the animal a fair chance.This is like shooting fish in a barrel,something needs to be done,to stop this kind of hunting.Just like shooting a animal in a cage.These great white hunters must be proud of their trophies.They need to give the animal a gun,so they can hunt these big game hunters.I wonder if Cheney is involved?

Pat & Jerry

[raveon4]

How dare they allow this atrocity to happen. we are supposed to be stewards of the earth. The killing of these bears is cruel, to say the least. What can I do to protest this?
La Vaughn

[sparty6138]

Here's a petition, sponsored by the Friends of McNeil River.

http://www.mcneilbears.org/index.cfm?section=Petition

Go to www.mcneilbears.org for more information.

[lmedina2]

I cannot image one day-- hunters with guns, walking up to an innocent, trusting, bear, in its own habit (home), safe-haven, and seeing a hunter walk near to it only to blow its head off. This is a cruel and unbearable thought. I will be looking into stopping this awful decision. I pray that a hedge of protection will be put around the bears so that they will remain safe. Are the bears diseased? If they were, that's a separate issue. Hunters to kill for pleasure is just WRONG. Please continue to pursue this to all that read these comments and are concerned as much as I am.
God Bless,

Lori

[JerryHughes]

Just another result of the so called "environmental achievements" by the Bush administration. My God, when will we be able to get that screwball out of the White House?!

[firstduchess]

I have signed the petition!! And will get as many people as I possibly can to sign it also! Trophy hunting! Pretty sad that someone gets a thrill out of killing anything! Doesn't say much for the person, does it!?!?! Must have a low self esteem!

[gp1975]

I watched this segment because of my fascination with bears. When I heard about the hunting, I was apalled. There is no reason for it except for bravado. It is total lack of respect for the world we live in. It is no different than going into your backyard and shooting your own dog. It's not a sport if the other side doesn't know it's playing.

[barbdow]

We've come such a long way through the expertise of God's special people that he placed on this planet to care for all animals; in this case our bears. I beg of you, please, please, do not shoot to kill the friendly bears. They have come to trust people. How can anyone with a conscience shoot a friendly bear and live with himself/herself. Let's speak up for the friendly bears. We need to invent a protection bill for Congress/Senate/House of Representatives to pass, and we must do it fast. A year goes by too quickly. Could CBS give the addresses of government offices in Washington D.C. so that people who care can write (email) them about this problem. Who knew this would be a problem? I will look for follow-ups on this story. Please, CBS, do not forget our precious innocent animals...all animals, in this case - bears.

[jojovtbear]

Well this would be just as barbaric as the "seal slaughter" in Canada, to think, as Americans,how can we allow this horror to happen in this "sanctuary" that the bears have come to know as home and safe haven. What an injustice to this magnificent and magestic creature. I was in Katmai, Bear viewing in August 2005, it was a magical experience. I hope that in the years to come, our children will be able to experience that nature and the wild, before the grizzly bear becomes extinct, due to overhunting!

[hermieyellow]

Glad to see this we aren't the only ones upset by this. Thanks for posting the web site to sign a petition. We are going to it next. Please keep us updated CBS. Greg and Cynthia

[melladee]

Thanks Sparty. I signed the petition at http://www.mcneilbears.org/index.cfm?section=Petition
and urge everyone to do the same. I was #937 so obviously MANY MORE SIGNATURES WILL BE NEEDED to grab the attention of the powers that have control over and can change this direction toward bear bloodshed. I thank CBS-news for an excellent report that illuminated what, for me, was an unknown upcoming travesty against the trusting brown bears of McNeil River. Please give us updates on this story!

[mugzzi]

I can't believe this news story! Instead of being destructive and shooting the animals for fun why don't you sell tickets and let people see the bears in their living environment. This is such a rare and beatiful opportunity to enjoy nature and habbitats and now we have to let the shooters in to kill them. Its such a violation of mankind. I'm sick to my stomach about this issue and can't wait to jump in and help stop this heinous crime. What I want to know is who is making money off of this and to what extent? Too bad the bears didn't carry around million dollar bills. Then I'm quite sure they would have a voice and be protected. Since they don't I pray those that know the difference between right and wrong step up to the plate to have a voice for those that can not speak but are just as important living creatures as ourselves. Who got bought off? That is the real story. Expose them and the truth will be revealed.

[johnthecook2]

I live in one of the most beatiful places in the world Alaska and saw the story about the bears and said thanks to the CBS world news because the local news has said nothing. We need to put a stop to this. Iknow a lot of hunters but don't know any that EAT brown bear. Its pretty sad when you go hunt PETS.

[melladee]

As a follow-up to my previous comment: I just now sent an email to my entire address book with the link to the CBS-news piece about the bears, and the link to the petition http://www.mcneilbears.org/index.cfm?section=Petition. Please take a moment to compose your own message to friends to get this news out far and wide. We CAN make a difference. We must.

[imnanablue]

I went to Alaska this summer and saw these babies! Why kill them? We are in THEIR territory, not ours! Shame on US!!! We fight so, hopefully no one comes to kill our babies....