Alaskan Bears: To Be Seen, Or Shot?

(CBS)  Brown bears have become symbols of a bitter culture war in the last frontier state of Alaska. The iconic animals, reports CBS News correspondent Jerry Bowen, are caught between those who believe the bears should be hunted and killed, and those who believe some are better left alone.

The battleground is the renowned McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, site of the world's largest concentration of brown bears. Hunting was banned at the sanctuary a half-century ago to allow the animals to get their annual fill of salmon in safety.

Visitors are limited by lottery, and the place remains a safe haven. But life for the bears is changing on the sanctuary's edges, as buffer zones just a few miles away are set to be opened to trophy hunters.

The state says the decision is part of a game management plan. However, it means the big bears fishing and frolicking on the river today may be bear rugs a year from now.

The issue isn't one of endangered species; there's an abundance of brown bears in Alaska for viewers and hunters. But are the McNeil River bears too used to humans to be wary of hunters?

"The way we describe it is like shooting a neighbor's dog, it's heartbreaking," says Ken Day, who runs bear viewing tours in areas near the sanctuary along with his wife, Chris. "These bears come up to you and lay down and nurse their cubs and take naps. They feel protected by you from other bears."

Wildlife viewing — a half-billion-dollar a year tourist industry in Alaska, and growing — mirrors a changing state. By comparison, sport hunting generates $200 million, and hunter numbers are declining.

The powerful hunting lobby argues there are jobs and a heritage to protect. The Alaska Outdoor Council's Rod Arno asks, "Why is it important enough to go ahead and do away with that heritage in order to allow a larger number of people coming that are tourists, environmentalists who are just viewing?"

Ruth Roberts traveled from Minneapolis to see the bears of McNeil River. "We're [Green Bay] Packers fans and we don't like 'Da Bears," she jokes. "But we like these bears."

And it's hard not to. The day after CBS News encountered a frolicking mother bear and her three cubs, she was spotted caring for just two. The third was killed by another bear — nature's way of culling the weak.

Unless state officials reverse their decision, the strongest of the McNeil clan will also become more vulnerable. Nature will gain a partner: trophy hunters loaded for bear.

[george452]

I have got to admit that even the thought of opening the McNeill Park for brown bear hunting has to be one idea of the most unimaginable, unintelligent, unsportmanship-like action, and just down right stupid concepts that any group of "Hunters"? could request. Who on God's green earth would even consider approving a program that would, kill bears that have been overseen and protected by National Park Rangers,not to mention the fact that you have to apply for a LOTTERY slot just to have the opportunity to see the bears living their life. As an avid fly fishing person, the thought of this program going forward will be the most impersonal, inhuman and a shame on hunters - by the way,
fly fishman release trophy browns, brooks, rainbows and other fish for another to catch and enjoy. The Dept. of Interior should be in front of this program and squash this ridiculous idea.

[avigil2]

Another reason to avoid Alaska. To those who believe that these bears should be hunted and killed... YOU ARE PATHETIC!!!

[katehar]

Having watched the 2-day series on the brown bears of the McNeil River Sanctuary, I find it hard to believe a self-described "sportsman" would possibly endorse opening this area to trophy hunters. These bears are so accustomed to
human presence that allowing them to be shot amounts to nothing short of a canned hunt.

I hope Alaskan legislators and the smug Rod Arno of The Alaskan Outdoor Council are inundated by letters and phone calls of those outraged by this inhumane and outrageous proposal.

Kate Harper

[drmurphy1]

I hope that for every hunter who kills a bear a bear kills a hunter. The human race is the most inhumane species on Earth. How can this be called hunting when we have taken their natural suspicion of humans from them by the tours in their own habitat. So they over populate. Nature has a way of taking care of this and it should not be left up to the hunting lobby to dicate what is hunted. Evidently the people representing this state and other states who have allowed it to happen need to be replaced or made trophies on walls. If I lived in Alaska my vote would count. Down with hunters for this is a nothing more than a massacre.

[savethebears]

This is a disgrace!

To oppose please visit the Sierra club web site for more information on who to contact and how to oppose at:

http://alaska.sierraclub.org/actions/p001.html

[savethebears]

Yes... to oppose this incredibly stupid and obscene bear hunt please sign the petition at :
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mcneil66/

thank you for caring...

[aglynn123]

The killing of brown bears makes me want to vomit. Isn't there any thing on the face of this earth that is safe from being murdered? First we make them friends and then when they think they can trust us we blow holes in them for what? Just so some dumb jackass can have a trophy. The day will come when there will no longer be wild animals as we know them. The way we are clearing wooded areas there is no hope for any thing that is suppose to be wild. All the new roads that we have and old ones too the animals don't have a chance to survive. I reall think the people who agree to this should change places with the brown bears, lets see how they would like to become friendly and the get their heads blown off.If I lived in Alaska I would not vote for this person as the govenor, or for any thing else for that matter.

[alaska_guy-2009]

The Rod Arno in the video heads the Alaska Outdoor Council. These folks also head up the Alaska Board of Game that advocated the McNeil River bear shoot.
You can contact the Alaska Outdoor
Council at [e-mail] or phone them at [phone] or fax them at [phone].
E-Mail at: [e-mail].

I'd written Alaska's governor much earlier about this issue and got a form letter back that indicated he was for the bear shoot. You might wish to contact Alaska's legislative members. Many of them are up for election. Their phone numbers and email are at the State's web site www.state.ak.us
or
w3.legis.state.ak.us/home.htm

One state senator Ralph Seekins is an advocate of the aerial wolf shoot in Alaska. He runs the Ford Motor dealership in Fairbanks. The community might put pressure on both the McNeail River bear shoot and the aerial wolf hunt by commenting to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan

[gmgeiger]

To President Bush and Governor Murkowski

The very words sanctuary and refuge means safety. I am so outraged concerning the proposed
trophy hunting of the brown bears in the McNeil River Refuge. Will there never be a safe place for large, beautiful animals without someone trying to kill them for sport. I hope this situation does not come to pass. I am so disappointed in in both the President and this Govervor.

[dfehrenbach]

Thank you very much for telling the news stories about the brown bears in McNeil Park. You have made us all aware of their plight from the despicable people who will murder them for their enjoyment. I do not understand how humans can be so cruel! Could you please advise which government agencies (either Federal or Alaskan) I can write to direct my outrage (or any other organization/state officials)? I always watch the CBS nightly news and hope you continue reporting on animal issues.