Alaskan Bears: To Be Seen, Or Shot?

Protected For 50 Years, Life Is To Change For McNeil River's Brown Bears

(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.

[karth1]

This is horrible! It's not even hunting to kill an animal that will just walk up to you. What can be done to stop this. As an environmental tourist, I think some sort of active boycott on tourism to Alaska should be in order. Since their only watching bears, we can do that on t.v, and just keep our half a billion at home.

[lancejjc]

My husband, son and I are in Jerry and Max's report tonight on CBS evening news! We are excited to see the live story of our bear viewing trip with Chris and Ken Day! Thanks to Jerry and Max for featuring our group! The Lances, Calhoun, GA

[judyhein]

Please, please tell us what we can do to protest the trophy killing of the Alaskan brown bears! I have never in my life protested anything; yet, the sanctioned slaying of these beautiful, trusting wild creatures screams to me, as it must scream to the hearts of all caring Americans. In this time of political ineptitude, unjust wars, ongoing terrorists' activities, and global warming, we, as a common people, espousing ideals of common decencies and respects, MUST preserve, at a minimum, these majestic animals.

[miensa]

What a complete, hypocritical, unethical mess! Alaska is filled with pockets of bear hunting areas sectioned off twice a year just for that purpose. The bear population in McNeil has declined due to smaller salmon runs, that alone would be reason enough to reconsider. It is highly unethical to allow hunters to encroach on an area specifically set up for tourists and photographers to enjoy their beauty. These bears are habituated and see humans as non-threatening. How on earth can someone regard hunting one of these bears as a trophy when it would be likened to shooting fish in a barrel? Wouldn't that negate the entire purpose of a hunters supposed virility? Shooting a bear while it poses for them? A lot of money from these tourists and photographers flood into that area, just as the money rolls in for the areas that are already sited as hunting sectors, and there are plenty of them. Larry AuMiller has dedicated his life to these bears and meticulously arranged a spot where they can remain safe and are treasured by those of us who wish to experience these bears without a gun. I suppose since we are running out of bears in the lower 48, its time to focus on their eradication in Alaska. Wow, we just won't be happy until this whole *** planet is ours. We are just too unintelligent for our own good...

[shorty0011]

The gentleman speaking for the pro vote of murdering the bears said something to the effect that it is out heritage to hunt - that is true, however our forefathers didn't kill for trophies, but for food and clothing and the use of every part of the animal for sustaining life. i certainly don't consider it in my heritage to kill unsuspecting animals that have come to trust humans through years of patience and selected contact. The area in which the bears now live is not called a "sanctuary" for nothing! Is it so important to seek out and kill everything that is beautiful and wild on this planet - don't we have enough killing around the world everyday amongst the humans? Let these bears have this space on this earth that is harsh enough to survive in just battling mother nature - don't add to their life trauma by changing the rules and letting people come and slaughter them in the name of sport!!!!! Please stand up for what is right and best for the animals - not a dwindling group of soul-less trigger happy killers......

[kxt3000]

The Indian's hunted to survive, the story that i just read has nothing to do with survival, it has to do with a pea brain needing to make himself feel like MR. BIG SHOT. I think it takes a coward to hunt and kill bears. At the rate this world is going, soon the only thing left will be human beings, all the truly beautiful animals will be gone, with only humans left what a ugly world this would be.

[justf1]

This is one of most repugnant state decisions I have ever heard! Allowing hunters to kill the McNeil bears isn't hunting, it's legal genocide. I urge everyone to do whatever they can to prevent this insanity. Boycott Alaska!! Losing all of their tourism dollars will definitely hurt them and maybe, this will bring back some rational thinking. That is, if the morons who run the state are capable of such a concept.

[rrcampbell1]

The Constitution should have given the RIGHT TO ARM BEARS !

Anyone who would want to hunt these animals must have a heart of ice.

Let us protest loudly, we could start with:

G R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R !

To whom do we write?

What do we boycott?

Please someone let us know?

[jazmon]

Alaska is a state filled with so much natural beauty. Why does the state wish to destroy such a beautiful trusting animal? It is absolutely shameful and deplorable the state of Alaska is bullied by such a cowardly lobby that only wants to kill another being. The Alaskan legislature is obviously filled with a bunch of STUPID and I mean STUPID people who care nothing about a most valuable and beautiful resource. Based upon what I saw in your report this evening, I would boycott traveling and touring the state of Alaska. Please let me know what it is I can do to change the action of the state of Alaska.

Sincerely,
BLWH

[psychoswife]

I am horrified at the suggestion of using these wonderful creatures as trophies. Killing for survival is a heritage, but killing for sport never was. I love Alaska, but I will never return if they break the trust with the bears that we have established there. Where can I protest the congressmen or congresswomen who were persuaded by a lobbying group to allow this to happen? Killing because you are hungry is one thing while killing because you enjoy it is another. Want a trophy? Take up bowling!

[lynnmarie52]

Once again a magnificent American animal is threatened by humans. Thoughtless, cowardly humans. The pro hunter representative said it's heritage to hunt. Heritage???? I say bunk!!! I have no polite words to describe how I truly feel about trophy hunter. I am not an advocate of hunting, but I feel no self respecting humter can brag of killing an animal that simply walked up to him in trust. There are plenty of places in Alaska and other states where competent humters can track and shoot the animals they are hunting! Shooting these bears would be nothing more than canned hunting, which I feel is one of the most despicable activities allowed in this country. Please, please, please, you have told us their story, please tell us now, how we can help continue to protect them. I am confident that thousands of concerned, caring people would call, write, sign petitions, whatever we can do to encourage the Alaskan government to continue to protect the brown bears in the sanctuary. After all, sanctuaries are for protection arne't they? I think the hunters are put out because the tourists that want to view the animals are bringing in a greater revenue to the state than the hunting industry and they cannot accept it. Get over it hunters, the times they are a changing and the more people would rather enjoy wild animals alive in their natural habitats, than skinned and stuffed on a floor or wall. Find a new "hobby" boys. How about hunting with a camera???

[stktrader7]

Email sent to Grant Hilderbrand, supervisor of Alaska Fish and Game for the McNeil River region.
[e-mail]

As a previous visitor to the bear falls in July of 1994, I was not happy to see on CBS that the bears would now become victims to hunters outside the park boundaries. With a state the size of Alaska, one would think that there would be many locations where "real" hunters could expose themselves to a real kill whereby the playing field could be level to some degree. Parking oneself just outside the park boundry ready to fire on a McNeil bear is no different than going to Yellowstone and having an opportunity to shoot a Bison from 50 feet. The bears of McNeil are familiar with rifles, since the park rangers carry them each day to the viewing location whereby the rifle/shotgun is usually parked next to a chair by itself in full view. As you know, never has a park ranger had to fire upon any of the bears in the park history. This type of "hunt" is unethical and we as Americans outside your jurisdiction can applaud CBS Evening News for bring this dreadful news to light. Greg Warren in Fallbrook, CA

[psychoswife]

Send emails to the governor and legislators of Alaska to protest this unethical decision. I did. Maybe if they get enough emails they will "revisit" the decision.

[aramrod61-2009]

I appeal to the "powers that be" to please do something to save these unassuming and innocent bears from Hunters. There are already too many places to hunt bears around the world. Why can't we humans just leave these Brown Bears alone and continue to view them instead of killing them??? Is nothing sacred anymore?

[spadpilot62]

For generations, my ancestors hunted to feed a family. To talk of "trophy hunting" was to invite scorn and derision. I have not changed this perception. Nor have I any apologies for hunting and taking lawful game.
I have eaten bear meat and found it good, as well as venison, moose, elk, and antelope.
When my time comes to hunt in Alaska for bear, I will seek a reputable guide only in those areas where the animals carefully regulated, as far from McNeil as possible. If successful, I expect to pack out and share the results with my family. This is the essence and nature of hunting.

[karenhammer]

cbs please tell us what we can do to stop this insanity. i have all ready sent e-mails protesting this decision to the alaskan govenor, the game commisioner and all other members on the board of wild game and fish. i also wrote an e-mail to the bureau of permits and licenses and one to the sanctuary at mcneil lake asking how we can put a stop to this.
what else can all of us peace loving, tired of all the injustices of this "backwards thinking" world do to stop this before it's too late?

[dsinclair013]

I have emailed the governor of Alaska the following letter:
Dear Governor Murkowski,
It is so heartbreaking to think of "trophy hunting" being allowed in the McNeil River State Sanctuary area. These beautiful creatures have been taught by man, to trust humans. The hunting can be equated to going to the local zoo and shooting the bears there.
There are so many areas in Alaska where bears haven't been introduced to humans. Why can't the hunting be limited to those areas?
If this is allowed, I would encourage everyone that I know to boycott coming to Alaska to spend our vacation dollars. Tourism is a huge boost to your beautiful state.
I ask that you consider the impact that this could have on your state. I am very proud of CBS making this public and will encourage them to continue to keep the story in the news.
Sincerely,
D Sinclair

I would encourage everyone to send emails to the governor and fish and game director of Alaska.

[miensa]

The proposal to allow hunting in McNeil is not in the Sanctuary but in the Refuge. Granted there is only but about a mile between the two and the lines are blurred for the boundaries of the bears. Perhaps making the entire McNeil area a sanctuary and eliminating the refuge would be a better solution. There are plenty of places to build more platforms allowing Alaska to accommodate the 70 to 80% of the people who are turned down yearly to come and view the bears. That's a lot of money to be gained. McNeil is not the only place in Alaska where these viewing platforms can be built. Like someone told me earlier on this subject, if you build them, they will come. Alaska would most certainly gain more money from this type of animal attraction than from hunting circles.
Otherwise I suggest we pull our banks accounts together and buy the 8 to 9 hunting permits that will be issued. That week, we can all sit around the TV while the refuge waits in vain, for our arrival. Better yet, we do venture out to McNeil together, only with cameras in hand ;)

[centomere]

This is a new low. What is wrong with the people in Alaska? Even though clearly things are changing, and hunting is declining, even though wildlife watching and other nonconsumptive wildlife enjoyment brings in so much more money to Alaska than hunting does now, why are the people there so bent on catering so much more to the selfish interests of hunters?

More decent-minded people should rise up and crush those scumbag lobbyist groups that are keeping this barbaric institution alive and in power. Hunters are such a small population now and can so easily be destroyed if we just took more action against them.

Like the guy in the video said, this is like shooting your neighbor's dog. These bears have become so accustomed and tolerant of humans they will not know to fear or avoid them. And why should they have to live with the stress of constantly having to avoiding gunfire in the first place? This is such an important place for them, the one place so many of them depend upon to eat their required fill to bulk up for winter, it would just be shameful to have people taking pot shots at them while they're just trying to go and get something to eat and feed their family.

[moddid]

I have hiked and camped in the area ajacent to the McNeill area for 14 years. I have photographed these beautiful animals in their natural setting. I have also documented several generations of bears, including behavior. I can pick out the adult bears I have seen since cubs just by the way they fish.
McNeill River is open only by lottery and the visit have a unique experienceIt gives people to see bears in a natural environment without fear of being shot.
To open this area to hunting would destroy what McNeill has provided for generations of bears, a safe haven from the "harvesting" that takes place in other areas of Alaska.

[lonewolfafgh]

I don't think ANY wild animals should be killed for trophies. Members of the deer family are fine if you're going to eat them, but limited numbers should be taken.

[rrieser]

This is outrageous it just shows that man can not govern himself nor does this society know right from wrong. Next they will open up the wild annimal parks and zoos to hunters. Well it is not to be unexpected when we kill one another in war and on the streets.

[rrieser]

It is outrageous

[spurvey]

How interesting that the Governor of Alaska should remove his email address from all of the contact information on his website.. Guess we will all have to start calling him to express our disgust and outrage.

[icare2]

Governor Murkowski,

How the hell can you let this happen to the brown bear? You must stop this immediately. Don't we have enough with wars going on? Do we need to kill these bears for the sake of bear rugs? For the faith, who struggle for passion, have mercy on us, and the whole world. I will pass on the internet to get everyone together to stop the killing of brown bears from happening. If we have to fly to Alaska we will do everything in our powers to stop this from happening. You must make every effort to protect these beautiful creatures from being murdered. There is enough murder in our lives, there is enough hatred in our lives, there is enough starvation in our lives, there are enough homeless in our lives. Don't take the beauty of the brown bear away as well. And in the state of the most beautiful scenery, Alaska. I hope you will respond to this message as soon as possible. If I don't hear, or see, or know that you have done anything in regards to this matter, I will personally fly out there with all the animal rights people who feel the same way as I do and do everything in our power to not let this travesty happen. We do not want any more endangered animals like the tigers, elephants, gorrillas, etc. to be killed for no good reason. If there are trophy hunters there with their guns, it will be another war. And Alaska won't be so beautiful anymore, and no tourists will come.

[wrj5241]

I found the clip about "Trophy Hunting" absolutely disgusting. It represents what is wrong with America and the direction we are heading. Why can't these animals live out there lives in a protected santuary? Hunting like this is not sportsmanship, it is killing life for no reason. There are so few places where animals are protected, save this one for future generations to see.

I'm sure that brown bears are hunted elsewhere in a Alaska, keep it that way.

John Wittmuss
Elementary Principal

[nanie50]

Your so called VISION for your state and its Brown Bears in the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary is not a vision, but a slaughter of bears that have grown to trust man...How can you open hunting so close to the sanctuary and still expect the bears of that area to be friendly.... Your state is huge; let the Trophy Hunters hunt elsewhere... This reminds me of Jane Woodall and the Gorilla's..........Why can't legislators/government leave the very few area's left in the US where wild animals trust and interact with us alone.....???????????? Thank you CBS!!!!
Even though the Governor%u2019s office reads email from Alaskan residents first, if enough of us complain, we will get through%u2026%u2026..Please email Governor Frank Murkowski @

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php

[sparty6138]

Sign the petition! Here's some language you can use/adapt in e-mail messages to your friends.

Dear Friends,

On Monday and Tuesday nights the CBS Evening News ran a two-part 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,
***

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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...

[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

[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.

[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

[avigil2]

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

[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.