[boatmusher]

Why do we have to keep killing bears that become habituated to human food on the river!? Doesn't it make sense to let the bears live and avoid humans with a safe, effective, low cost alternative to electric fences at each camp or a bullitt and a floating bear carcass in the river? Simply allowing dogs on trips would eliminate the need for over the top ways to "control the bear problem".
Allow dogs, charge user fees for dogs even, ENFORCE leash rules at put ins and take outs and not only would the bear issue be helped it would even give more revenue to the river corridors that we love. Oh yeah, there may be the occasional irresponsible dog owner but IF the river rangers did their jobs that could be cut back dramatically. Worse case, a little dog shit to go with the existing horse shit is a good trade, it seems, versus killing bears and increasing the bear human conflict.
How about it government agencies, wanna actually enforce rules, do your job and reduce bear conflicts? Or simply legislate from the comfort of your field office!?

Scott

 

[heytat]

Boatmusher, this is reality. We've not met.....

 

[glenn]

Put up fences and you decrease bear habitat which is the real killer. If you care that much about bears give them their space by not moving into that dream home in the hills and vacationing where they live.

 

[jennifer]

So, since I don't have a dog, I'll need to purchase one for my next river trip? What do I do with it after the river trip? Will one of those little yappy ones that can fit in my dry box suffice? Their turds are smaller and thus less of an issue when stepped in while walking around camp. Or since I don't have a dog (or want one), must I invest thousands in a battery operated, solar-charged, electric fence to encompass the entire river camp and rafts? Sweet!

 

[idahofloater]

No bring little dogs to woods in Idaho. They are a chocking hazzard for our wolves. Please bring big dog for they makie a full meal.. Plus if you get the right dog bread, they will eat thier own s#!t and can be trained to replace your groover. So jennifer, just go ahead and buy one of the "organic groovers" and "recycle" it on your last day...

 

[jennifer]

OK, if the dog will completely replace a groover, I'm sold! Looking for shit-eating, bear-chasing dog breeds that are recyclable right now! Kind of confused on how to recycle a dog, but they come with a manual right? Or do you mean I just turn it over to the Idaho wolves at the end of the trip? :shock:

 

[Stiff N' Wett]

You know what I've never seen dog shit on the river just human shit. So lets leave the river to the dogs and bears.

 

[GBWW]

We launched on the Gates of Lodore the day after the bear was shot. We were told the bear was a problem bear, and the people who's camp it came into twice had left a messy kitchen and food out. The camp host said that the group took responsibility for the bears repeated visit that ended in the bear being shot.

Just info, not any opinion on this one...other than bears are scary as hell!

-Dan

 

[gannon_w]

What does that mean "they take responsibility for the bear being shot"? Are they going to raise a new bear and release it to the wild? Are they going to donate to a bear breeding program?

 

[rehamxela]

I guess they should of shot the trip leader instead for not having control of the group!!! or maybe they should of atleast cancelled their permit and sent them packing back to where ever stupid people come from.. Bear visits once and you still leave a messy camp?? I hope they got disciplined some how for their moronic actions..

 

[paddleprincess]

So true glenn. Or accept bears & lions and don't freak

 

[The Mogur]

Or since I don't have a dog (or want one), must I invest thousands in a battery operated, solar-charged, electric fence to encompass the entire river camp?

Maybe a battery operated, solar-charged electric dog. Then there aren't any turds, and if it starts yapping you can yank it's batteries.

 

[constructeur]

What does that mean "they take responsibility for the bear being shot"? Are they going to raise a new bear and release it to the wild? Are they going to donate to a bear breeding program?

It's just lip service.

 

[JHimick]

...IF the river rangers did their jobs that could be cut back dramatically.

How about it government agencies, wanna actually enforce rules, do your job and reduce bear conflicts? Or simply legislate from the comfort of your field office!?

It might be a good idea to understand what Rangers' job responsibilities actually are, the area they have to cover, and the resources they are given before you accuse them of inadequate performance.

 

[GBWW]

What does that mean "they take responsibility for the bear being shot"? Are they going to raise a new bear and release it to the wild? Are they going to donate to a bear breeding program?

Here is what the group has put together....maybe?

http://laughingsquid.com/the-oatmea...campaign=Feed:+laughingsquid+(Laughing+Squid)



-Dan

 

[Flying_Spaghetti_Monster]

I guess they should of shot the trip leader instead for not having control of the group!!! or maybe they should of atleast cancelled their permit and sent them packing back to where ever stupid people come from.. Bear visits once and you still leave a messy camp?? I hope they got disciplined some how for their moronic actions..

I love bears, and think they are beautiful animals. To suggest that a bears life supersedes a humans is absurd. I believe in protecting bears. But if people decide they want to leave out food, and it wonders into my camp thinking I have food for it or thinking I am food for it. I will shoot it, and not feel the least bit sorry. Yes I am in it's territory, yes it belongs there, and I don't, and yes bears have to eat. On the flip side of that coin a bear dying does not effect me, my family, or my way of life. If the bear kills or injures me it changes everything. There are people out there that would rather a bear kill them than kill the bear. Not me I have no problem killing something to save my life.

The problem is people leaving out food, but bears will be in certain areas regardless, and some are more prone to attacking. I do believe bears should be protected as much as possible, but not at the cost of a human life.