I just can't help myself here...

Bears do not "fish", they are unable to bait the hooks!

On the other hand, bears do hunt. Yea I know they probably can't load a gun or draw a bow either!

I hope that the bears at McNeil continue to be protected. They are an asset for visitors and scientists. This is a very unique place. The hunters have plenty of bears to kill elsewhere. On a tangent, of course bears fish.... better than humans with hooks most of the time!

Allowing bear hunting just outside of the McNeil refuge is coming up before the Alask F&G Commission again, according to an article in Alaska magazine. There is even an Alaskan hunting guides assoc. opposing it on the gronds that it is unsporting to be hunting habituated bears, it gives all of hunting a bad name.

There is a park in Haines where we saw bear in the stream feeling for salmon with their paws and then eating them, they were eating dead salmon who came into the river to spawn, certainly not as thrilling as watching them catch the live salmon but still very interesting

Thank you <b>amdc</b> and <b>steeliejim</b> for the bear update.

The hearings on this issue start tomorrow, I believe. The official comment period is over but it could not hurt to let your views be known.

Here is some contact information.

Denby Lloyd (Acting Commissioner)
PO Box 115526
Juneau , Alaska 99811-5526
Phone: (907) 465-4100
FAX: (907) 465-2332
[email protected]

Alaska Board of Game Support Section
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau , AK 99811-5526
(907) 465-4110
(907) 465-6094 FAX

Governor Sarah Palin
http://gov.state.ak.us/govmailSP.php

This website has the contact for all members of the Alaska Game Board.
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20070120.html


<b>Placeu2</b>, You are right, no hook baiting necessary for the bears to dine on salmon. No baskets when they go berry picking and no traps for their clamming.

<b>BusterBrown,</b> Whether the fish were dead or alive, they helped the bears stay alive. It’s exciting to see nature in action. I hope it remains for years to come in Haines, McNeil River, and elsewhere.