nkd- check the latest edition of Field and Stream (the one with a big bass on the cover - but doesn't that describe them all? :) ) - there's a story in there about a bear/ram hunt in AK. I only scanned it, but it may have more info.

What's the Hudson River got to do with anything?

There was a big bear hunt controversy recently, in Jersey across the Hudson river fron NY, "NY"traveler. :S-

Yes - but those bears were invading people's backyards and were a threat to children - and in any case they tried wherever possible to relocate them. That's a whole lot different from flying to another part of the country for the express purpose of murdering innocent animals for fun.

I usually try to disagree respectfully on this forum, but this is just disgusting. Hunting is a low activity, and to travel in order to kill a magnificent animal you don't see at home is depraved. Killing for entertainment is depraved.

I'd like to think that somewhere there are bears dens with human hunter heads mounted on the walls.

My mom's had as many as three black bears foraging in her backyard, no problems yet. #-O

I hope the bear wins.

Hey, what an amendment on the right to arm bears.

The article JohnD mentions states that 61 bears we're 'harvested'. "Harvested"? Why didn't it just say killed??
It's like saying a captive dolphin was 'acquired' instead of saying it was captured!

Just like some people (e.g. native americans) consumed venison (deer), the same probably applies to bear.

What's the difference between black bear scat and grizzly bear scat? The grizzly bear's smells of pepper spray and has bear bells in it.

When people pay thousands $$$ to kill bears they do not eat meat. They kill these animals for skin and heads and leave rest of it where it is. But first they take a picture of the dead animal.

I do not believe an animal carcass can be just left in anywhere in NJ.

To Z:

Good try but one of the reason my brothers spent thousands of dollars was to get the meat cut up and flown back home. I thought this was a travel site not a PC debate.

Gail,

I think you are confused as they do not allow hunting in Katmai. You may have used guides, which are hunting guides in other parts of the state but hunting is not allowed in Katmai. Although some nut "bear advocate" and his girlfriend have been killed by bears as they would not listen to Game Management. My brother lives in there and there has never been any problems in Katmai until this nut case thought he could live among the grizzles. Sorry, I don't want to be rude but some of you'll comment when you have no clue.

I have stayed away until now...

Please, if you are really interested in this and other topics raised on this thread read this month's ALASKA Magazine.
Look in the Reader Comments section.

You may also go to alaskamagazine.com and request the article that ran in last months magazine which documents the facts on what you are all attempting to post about.

Hope this helps.

Oaktown Traveler

nkd,

Many of the contributors here who denounce you for hunting also think nothing of getting in a boat and going out to harass whales or dolphins on "watching" excursions. Often these boats hit whales, cut them with props and generally scare the crap out of the animals. I will allow that there is a difference between shooting and the other activity...but not much.

I am not a hunter, but I would be interested in knowing what percentage of hunters who pony up the big dough to go bear hunting actually come back with a dead bear. I'd be willing to wager it is less than 50%. Probably about the same percentage of "whale watching" excursions that injure, frighten or generally disrupt the lives of sea mammals.

Use your camara instead...WHY do you want to kill an animal that has a right to live just as you...to brag about it. It IS possible to enjoy Alaska without killing!!!!

DON'T DO IT!!!!! PLEASE