Black Bear Attacks: I have heard the same elsewhere

» SusanAK - I have heard the same elsewhere

Jerry, everything I have heard about bears certainly conforms to the advice you offer here.

Among the most dangerous bears are those that have been wounded previously by careless people. People who attempt to kill bears absolutely should be competent to do so without allowing a wounded animal to escape. This is for the well-being of all; the bear to prevent needless suffering, and any future victims of such an animal. If it should survive, you can bet it will have a vicious attitude toward people and anything connected to them.

Alaska has, in the past, been rather tolerant of needless bear shootings. People are allowed to protect life and property, and in the past a bear wandering through without molesting anything was pretty much killed with impunity on the part of some residents.

However, lately that has changed. Not only have prevailing attitudes changed, but tourism is BIG bucks in Alaska. A brown bear is a tourist attraction valued at $5000. Unnecessary shootings of bears are now resulting in very real penalties. There are the usual criminal fines, prosecutions, and potential imprisonment, as well as reimbursement to the state for the value of the animal - $5000.

The cost can get pretty steep these days to kill a bear without good cause.

-- posted by SusanAK