Re: Bears, Bears, Bears

There have been, as I posted several deaths and quite a number of attacks since Merriman's data and this can be easily corroborated by checking with the BC Ministry of Environment or several other sources. The most recent estimates of both Black and Grizzly Bear populations AND in country like this, you can ONLY do estimates are coming out of UNBC in Prince George.

The indications are that our rapidly increasing populations of both species are now about 160-200 thousand for Ursus Americanus and in excess of 20,000 for Ursus Arctos Horribilus.

Again, the best current estimates indicate, as I posted, a very strong increase in bear numbers and this correlates to both a major decrease in hunting mortality and, IMO, the faster "greenup" in most recent springs plus much less severe winters than during most of the 20thC, thus allowing survival of more "borderline"cubs and older bears.

Based on 52 years of hiking in BC, 44 years of backpack camping and many decades involved in conservation, wilderness work and nature study; I would agree that, as most serious knowledgeable bear people here state, we need much greater study of bears to make the best possible management decisions.

The working bear professionals here, many of whom I know personally, are bitterly divided over exactly WHAT should be done and how to do it. As with internet forums, we see a great deal of "expertise" promoted as actual truth by outsiders with little or no actual Grizzly experience; seems that a weekend as a tourist in BC qualifies such types to comment on our management of our bears, etc.

Anyone intersted can contact the MoE, BCWF or GOABC for up to date, field-experience-based data and the UNBC study "should"be available soon. With decades of involvement in this, I am keenly interested in facts and from those who, as I have done, actually have lived or worked in the BC-Alberta bush.

Again, read James Gary Shelton's books, especially his first one for REAL info. on dealing with dangerous and problem bears. Another VERY interesting guy is Charlie Russell, son of Andy, whom I knew slightly long ago; he is anti-hunting to a ridiculous degree, but, I respect his integrity and share his love of bears, always have.

His two books are worth reading and I think the "truth"is somewhere between Gary and Charlie......check them out.