September 16, 2011 in News, Idaho

Grizzly bear kills hunter near Boundary County

Meghann M. Cuniff The Spokesman-Review

Tags:bearsBoundary Countygrizzly bearshunting

A grizzly bear killed a hunter before being fatally shot Friday near the Boundary County, Idaho, limits, the latest in a series of deadly grizzly bear attacks in the Northwest.

Three men from Nevada were hunting bears in a remote area of Buckhorn Mountain near the Montana border when the grizzly attacked one of them and was shot and killed by a group member, authorities say.

The fatal grizzly attack comes as Idaho’s congressional delegation has proposed to amend the Endangered Species Act to reiterate that it’s OK to shoot a grizzly bear in self-defense or in defense of another person after a North Idaho man who shot and killed a grizzly cub on his property paid was charged. It’s also one of at least three fatal encounters in three months between people and grizzly bears in the region.

Officials initially thought Friday’s attack occurred in Idaho but used a GPS device to place the attack in Montana. Boundary County spokesman Mike Weland said a dispute between Idaho authorities and Lincoln County, Mont., sheriff’s officials had to be resolved Friday evening before the victim’s body was removed. Search and rescue crews from Idaho and Montana are at the scene, as well as a helicopter and officials from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Weland said.

The three hunters have family in Boundary County and have been taking an annual trip to the area for years, Weland said. They had tags from Montana to hunt bears and were armed with rifles, Weland said.

“The bear season just opened yesterday over there,” Weland said Friday.

Authorities say they are waiting for family to be notified of the man’s death before they release his name.

Weland said the circumstances of the fatal attack and subsequent shooting are still being investigated, but that the bear was shot while it was attacking.

Legislation proposed by U.S. senators and representatives from Idaho last week to reiterate the lawfulness of self defense against grizzlies is in response to a North Idaho man who shot and killed a grizzly cub in May after it and two others wandered onto his property and were seen near his children’s 4-H pig pen.

Jeremy Hill, 33, of Porthill, was charged with a federal crime, but it was dropped last week and he paid a $1,000 fine for a noncriminal infraction.

Experts say the number of grizzlies, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, appears to be increasing in the area as the number of encounters between the bears and humans, though rare, increases. Montana recorded six encounters in May alone, including four that ended with the grizzlies shot and killed. No humans were killed in those attacks, but two hikers were killed on separate occasions in Yellowstone National Park in July and August.

In July 2010, a camper was mauled to death by a grizzly bear at a campground just outside of Cooke City, Mont., near Yellowstone.

Twelve people were killed by bears in Montana and Wyoming in the 30 years prior to last summer, according to The Billings Gazette.

67 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

Al_Loysius on September 16 at 1:24 p.m.
Wow, this will seriously escalate the debate on introduction of nasty animals into the lower 48. This is a tragedy.
It will also pour gasoline on the fire with respect to the issue of shooting Grizzly Bears.
DuaneRasmussen on September 16 at 1:35 p.m.
The next move will be the envoros trying to shut off access to the National Forest. I think this the plan from the start.
DuaneRasmussen on September 16 at 1:51 p.m.
Evoros = Enviros
Kivaari on September 16 at 2:04 p.m.
The feds are already shutting down access to roads. The USFS has ditched thousands of miles of roads in Idaho. Another technique the FS uses is to just eliminate the roads on each new edition of the maps. The environmental movement only wants foot traffic for selected persons in our forests. Shoshone county is 90% federal property so locals have NO voice in how the resources are used. Had this person not died, and his fellow hunter shot the bear in self-defense he would be charged in federal court for violating the ESA. Idaho needs to demand that the feds turn over possession and control of all lands not directly needed for military or nuke research (Arco).
We have seen more wolf activity in our area. Having them within yards of the house (in town). We fear for the safety of our grand children and pets. Losing cats and dogs to a coyote is one thing, losing them to a wolf is quite another.
Idaho used to be heavily populated with grizzly bear. In a 1909 book a Spokane based hunter recounted his killing of over 100 bear in the Priest Lake and Clearwater area. The biggest threat to Idaho is the federal government, backed with environmentalist lawsuits, paid for with taxpayer money.
monkeyman on September 16 at 2:31 p.m.
@ DuaneRasmussen on September 16 at 1:35 p.m.
“The next move will be the envoros trying to shut off access to the National Forest. I think this the plan from the start.”
What does this news have anything to do with the National Forests?
richl on September 16 at 2:41 p.m.
Kivaari: Federal law specifically says it is legal to shoot a grizzly bear in self defense or in defense of other people who are threatened. No injury or death is required.
Freedom1080 on September 16 at 2:42 p.m.
Is the corrupt animal rights wacko’s in the USFWS with the corrupt Federal DA and the corrupt anti Americans Judges going to swat team the hunter that killed the Grizzly bears home? Arrest him give him a trail and waste more money worrying about ANOTHER fake endangered species? It surely appears that USFWS is too greedy only worrying about their job to tell the truth that the grizzly bears are starving cause the useless wolves have killed off their food supply. Or how about more grizzly per square mile then Alaska? But you know the sicko’s anti humans in the Animals rights cult well be cheering the bear for killing a human. When is common sense going to come back to this country?
metaline on September 16 at 2:48 p.m.
i am curious to know if the offending grizzly was a native bear, or a relocated problem bear.
Kivaari on September 16 at 2:51 p.m.
@ Richl, What about the arrest of Hill a few weeks ago mentioned in the article. Hill was fined $1,000 for defending others. The Idaho game folks found him to be within the law, yet the feds still charged him and stole $1,000 from him. He has a conviction.
@ monkeyman, it is part and parcel to the feds wanting to close off access to wilderness areas. Over 1,000 miles of roads and trails are closed to access just south of Mullan. If HUNTERS get eaten, it gives the enviros one more avenue to attack human access to the wilderness and its resources. The anti-people enviromentalist want all of us to live in metro areas and import goods from China.
richie on September 16 at 3:01 p.m.
K….there seemed to be a question if anybody was actually endangered in that situation. He coughed up the grand, because he was unsure of his chances and/or just didn’t want the hassle.
Kivaari on September 16 at 3:19 p.m.
Even though state officials agreed with his actions, the feds charged him and caused him great discomfort and money. A “cub” as written in the article was a two year cub, normally they are larger then an adult black bear. I would probably not have killed the bear in the Hill case. But I can see him getting fed up with bears raiding his home and worrying about his kids. Personally I don’t think the feds have any reason to be in Idaho off of military bases and nuke facilities. We need to defund the US forest service, BLM, US Parks Service, and EPA. A grizzly bear is not a federal issue it is a state issue. NO money should be expended by the federal government to play with mother nature.
soccermomsusie on September 16 at 3:21 p.m.
This is just like the riots after the Rodney King verdict. I think an apology from Mr. Hill to the grizzlies might go a long way.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
force_vector on September 16 at 3:34 p.m.
The Hill case and this incident have nothing to do with each other other than the fact that a grizzly was involved. So, why was the Hill case even mentioned?
Hopefully, the death of the bear does not overshadow the death of the hunter.
Kivaari on September 16 at 3:49 p.m.
@force vector, Because grizzly and wolf re-introduction is a hot topic in Idaho. It’s that simple. When hikers, campers and hunters get chewed on it is news. Defending against a predator attack can result in arrest and prosecution. It seems that the feds will only accept someone getting eaten as an excuse for shooting in defense of self or others. A dead woodsman is a bad thing. It is why people originally killed off the grizzly in Idaho. Sure they were natural but they do pose a serious risk to people that recreate or live in wilderness areas.
Humans are part of nature, and have as much right to be in the woods as a bear or wolf. The feds should not have tried to restore predators to Idaho wilderness areas. If nature did it on her own, fine. But by planting predators they accellerated the chances for bad interactions to happen between man and beast. Controlling predators is a state issue. The feds should have no business spending tax dollars that only endager people and livestock. Grizzly bear belong in the wilderness. So do we. Always be prepared to take defensive action and if you kill a bear or wolf don’t tell anyone. Shoot, shovel and shut up. That is hard to do, when you need the coroner or ambulance.
idahocity on September 16 at 4:07 p.m.
the right to self defense is an absolute. there is no need to write it into any law. it trumps any law, statute, code, etc.. in anglo saxon administration. you’d have to go way back east where there is no recognition of human rights, like china, russia, etc… if you want to live like an animal and be treated like one.
i grew up in north idaho and was never in fear of predators. i would sleep outside and camp at a young age. now i don’t let my little girls walk around in the woods without me, and i usually carry a side arm.
force_vector on September 16 at 4:07 p.m.
Kivaari - I thought the way the feds tried to stick it to Hill for protecting his property and family was disgusting, and frankly predictable. However, as this killing can only be seen as self-defense, it makes no sense to connect the two. Now, if, as some have suggested, feds attempt to limit access to forests for hunting under the belief that there may be deadly encounters (for the bears, not people), then yeah, at that point I can see how the relationship is established. Together, they would show a greater concern for bears than people. We’ll have to wait and see what the reaction to this incident is. However, the first reaction by all should be a quick “rest in peace” to the man who undoubtedly died a very painful death.
Kivaari on September 16 at 4:36 p.m.
@force vector, As this latest article points out it was an issue with Idahos senators and representatives. Our US congressional delegation has been trying to find a balance. It does come down to this attack, the Hill case, wolves, bears and access to wildlands. Although grizzly were natural to Idaho, many people don’t think the feds should be moving them into Idaho. If one walks in from Montana or Canada that is fine. It is the big picture that this article hit upon - stimulated by this latest attack. It makes it not just a random attack, one of many recent attacks in the region, but the overall federal intrusion. Except for animal rights nuts everyone should feel the pain this man, his family and friends are going through.
johnclarke on September 16 at 4:41 p.m.
Nothing seems to bring out the backwards thinking like the words “bear” and “Idaho”. I agree 100%, let’s leave Idaho for the rugged folk that live there, so they can cut cut every tree and kill every animal that might get in the way of all the wholesome activities like 4 wheeling while drinking. Like mentioned above, you can kill hundreds of bears in no time at all. With that kind of thinking, those bears will be driven off and everyone will be safe. That’s right, if we can kill off the bears, it will be much safer to kill the rest of the animals left…right ?
“The feds should not have tried to restore predators to Idaho wilderness areas. If nature did it on her own, fine. ”
Totally right my friend, just because man hunts animals to near extinction mean nothing. Mother nature should be able to deal with that, right ?
I am all for Idaho going it alone. Just because Idaho is a total welfare state living off of Uncle Sugar means nothing. I’m sure Idaho will figure it all out. I figure they would last like 2 years without handouts and Idaho would look like a parking lot, no trees, no bears, no wolves.
de3 on September 16 at 4:54 p.m.
“Losing cats and dogs to a coyote is one thing, losing them to a wolf is quite another.”
Huh? The cat or dog is still dead. I don’t get the difference.
force_vector on September 16 at 5:04 p.m.
johnclarke - why the hate, man? Assuming you are even somewhat intelligent, you have to know your stereotype of Idaho residents is unfounded and unjustified. So, what’s your deal? You know where I last saw drunkin’ 4 wheeling? Washington.
oneanddone on September 16 at 5:10 p.m.
Clarke - but there’d still be WA boats clogging up our lakes. And we’re not a welfare state m’man - we’re an $8/hr state. We earn our pittance.
Kivaari on September 16 at 5:13 p.m.
John Clarke, What a bigoted posting. Idaho has bad unemployment number because of the federal government.
Sure people 100 years ago all across the northern tier of the United States killed off most wolves and grizzly bear. Starting decades ago we pretty much stopped doing that. There were hundreds of bear in Idaho, and Washington hunters killed off most of them. I guess the pioneers did overkill out of fear. OK, let mother nature restore them. There are no shortages of grizzly in the area west and NW of the Flathead country and Canada. They are moving back into Idaho. I don’t have a problem with that. I do object to having any federal intervention into a states territory. It should be a states issue because there is nothing in the constitution that even allows the federal government to get involved. There is almost NO logging in Idaho. More logging goes on in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Lewis counties then in the entire state of Idaho. The slam at Idaho being a welfare state doesn’t reflect the truth. Sure wages are lower then Washington. The feds closed down most high earning jobs. Shoshone county USED to be the biggest revenue creator in Idaho, until the feds closed it down. 90% of Shoshone county Idaho is USFS land and essentially NO logging activity is permitted. Whereas look at Western Washington where every other section of land is private property. The feds want landscape logging - an unrealistic proposal. Washington has large scale clear cutting.
Washington has higher income due in part to the gangsters at the ports. Idaho doesn’t have seaports. We don’t have Boeing, or Microsoft. Idaho is losing jobs because of federal interference. If there is no mining or smelting those jobs go to Nevada for mining or Mexico or China. There are no smelting operations anymore. So the ore gets shipped via truck to Canada so the Canucks can pollute the Columbia River headwaters and our shared air. This is a story because first it involves a death. But the story goes beyond the isolated death, and more into the feds doing things better left to the state. Just what makes you think we in Idaho are so stupid. We don’t have inner city ghettos, most of the gang violence is minor compared to Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Yakima, Seattle, Tacoma, Spanaway or Vancouver. Washington has more unemployed urban youth then we have for a total population in Idaho. What a bigot.
johnclarke on September 16 at 5:17 p.m.
Gots me no hate man ! I like Idaho. What I don’t like is backwards thinking xenophobes who seem to think that Idaho “belongs” to them, which is awfully ironic considering the state does not support itself, or for that matter - even comes close.
Listen, all of you. Have you not seen Star Trek IV when that giant log flies up to earth and nearly wipes as out? The giant log was upset about whales being hunted to extinction. Same thing with bears. Be careful.
Kivaari on September 16 at 5:19 p.m.
@de3, The big difference is cougars and coyotes are solitary hunters that avoid people. Wolves are large and are pack hunters. My neighbor was lucky to get back in her house when 5 wolves circled her in her front yard. That house is 75 yards from my front door. We enjoy seeing the small singular predators. We love seeing the deer, moose, coyote and black bear. We and our neighbors don’t like losing pets - but we don’t want to lose kids. Truly the biggest predator is man. I like living in a very low crime area. It isn’t like Spokane with daily robberies, frequent murders, and burglaries.
Kivaari on September 16 at 5:22 p.m.
STARTREK analogies. Oh, please with the simplistic, “The Federation will save us all if we love the earth goddess”. Speaking of ignorance in the form of Mr. Clarke.
The_Seer on September 16 at 5:29 p.m.
The only reason I would carry a sidearm while roaming North Idaho with children or others would be to protect myself from North Idahoans. They are much more to fear than the wildlife.
I’ve hunted for decades. These hunters just got a swift reminder that humans aren’t always at the top of the food chain.
johnclarke: Keep reminding Idahoans of the leeches from the teat of Uncle Same and the productive liberal states that they are. I will too.
http://gumption.posterous.com/disproportionate-ratios-between-red-and-blue
The_Seer on September 16 at 5:30 p.m.
kiv: Didn’t you relocate here after retirement? If so…. shaddup!
liberal_in_right_wing_land on September 16 at 5:31 p.m.
I dont get the fuss, when you go hunting to kill something expect the animal to fight back, just like a human would when you shot at them. When you go hunting you take on all the risks, unfortunately for the hunter the bear won the first round, but the hunter won the second round.
The_Seer on September 16 at 5:32 p.m.
kiv: You left out the homicides committed by cops in Spokane that make me love to call this place home!
The_Seer on September 16 at 5:37 p.m.
oneanddone bleated: “We earn our pittance.” If by “earn” you really mean suck from the productive liberal states, then we agree.
http://gumption.posterous.com/disproportionate-ratios-between-red-and-blue
SCOREBOARD!
Squid on September 16 at 5:45 p.m.
I happen to like drinking. I also like four wheeling. They are a combination from Heaven!
Why lie? It’s one of my favorite hobbies. If your idea of fun is needlepoint or riding a recumbent bike, go right ahead. Not my kinda fun. I guess it’s not PC to admit that I like my kind of fun, but I really don’t care. Don’t knock it till you try it, if you haven’t already. Bet you have, but aren’t man enough to admit it.
Anyway, this story is about grizzlies killing a guy who was enjoying outdoor recreation, and was killed. I have to think that grizzlies belong in National Parks, where the people who wear sandals and wear hemp necklaces, imagine they are driving their Subaru through a natural area.
Liberal, apparently you are not aware that there is no hunting season on Grizzlies? People with that much ignorance should not speak on subjects they know nothing about.
Kivaari on September 16 at 5:45 p.m.
@The seer. Why yes I did, from logging country. WE owned a larger cedar mill. We watched the forest products industry shrink as overseas operations took over. Most paper is now made where pollution issues are less controlled - like Canada and Russia. Much of the logging went to New Zealand and Russia. If you want lower educated and unemployed people visit Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. The ONLY reason we live in Idaho is to be near my grand children. I would have moved to Montana, but the grand kids are too important. We have family in the Flathead area, where there is no shortage of grizzly bear. I love the bears. I don’t like the feds destroying economies, families, communities and businesses. The feds are the biggest threat to our nation. Just say no to unconstitutional thugs.
Squid on September 16 at 5:46 p.m.
Seer, that is why we now have the Tea Party. Look out! We’re coming for yall!
Kivaari on September 16 at 5:50 p.m.
@ The seer, Remember, a homicide doesn’t mean a murder. With the exception of Zehm and lingering doubts about Creach, the Spokane cops do a pretty good job of going home at the end of their shift. Spokane is a violent town. I always pack a gun when I visit there. There are more violent predators in one area of Spokane then in all of Idaho. Two legged varmints are always the biggest threat.
Squid on September 16 at 5:51 p.m.
Kivaari! We have something in common! My family owned several lumber mills until the mid ‘70’s. That’s when things got screwed up with our Government. Had mining supply stores and wholesale lumber yards too.
Kivaari on September 16 at 6:02 p.m.
Squid, Timber jobs paid our way through life. What the feds have done to American industry is criminal. Boeing started out as a logger and found a home in airplanes using wood. The Twin Harbors are skeletons of the past. No logging, no fishing, and nearly no paper industry. Much like Eastern Washington,
I think pot growing and meth production are becoming the prime industries.
Squid on September 16 at 6:32 p.m.
Kivaari, this entire area was built with timber and mining money. If there was no timber or mining, we wouldn’t even have railroad tracks. I remember the hog fuel burners, and those were not real good, but they figured out a better use for the chips and sawdust.
One of my Grandpa’s lumber mills burned down three times, but it still made enough money to reopen every time, without insurance paying for it. Still in business today, under different ownership. Kinda strange, when your business burns down these days, it just closes and is gone forever, and it’s all covered by insurance. Shows you how things have changed. Everything is too fragile and expensive, due to lawsuits, regulations, and taxes.
I wonder what Spokane, CDA, and even Sandpoint would be like, without timber and mining.
Yup, it’s a dirty shame and criminal what has happened. I guess you have to learn to adapt to the modern times.
Whatever. Better get back on the Grizzly subject. Evil critters from Hell, I tell ya. Close public lands, so they can roam. They closed the Priest Lake area to snowmobiles, because it stressed the two remaining caribou that they couldn’t find. They planted 98 of them, but allegedly two invisible ones lived, so humans had to leave those millions of acres. The Grizzlies are pushing us out too. I can’t really see any benefit to this thinking.
The_Seer on September 16 at 6:36 p.m.
kiv: Paper? What’s that? Sooooooooooooooooooooooo 1900’s. Hemp should return to the legitimate economy. Only Pigs prefer it to be illegal because it’s their cash cow. The fish went away because Henry Kaiser needed cheap electricity to ensure the War Machine kept rolling. I can’t believe a person entrusted with law enforcement duties would ignore these realities. The logging industry in the U.S. was killed by the very companies tasked with keeping it alive when they allowed raw logs to be exported and not milled in the U.S. Canada and Russia don’t sell a board foot of lumber to China or anywhere else that hasn’t been milled by Canadian or Russian labor. When was the last meth lab bust in Eastern Washington? You might be out of the loop, but Mexico makes all the meth the hypes in this area want to use and their cartels are all over this region.
The_Seer on September 16 at 6:40 p.m.
Yeah, we should harken back to the times when lumber and mining were the core of our local economy. That is beyond delusional. Most of those workers lived short lives filled with dangers barely scrabbling out a living while their masters built mansions in Browne’s Addition and lived in luxury. Are you paid shills of Cowles Corp.?
The_Seer on September 16 at 6:48 p.m.
kiv: pffffftttttttttt… I’ve lived in or near Spokane most of my life and never have I felt the need to carry a firearm, a behavior I share with the vast majority of citizens. How is it that we are still alive? Could it be caused by an inbred compunction to steer clear of the local constabulary?
Kivaari on September 16 at 6:55 p.m.
@The seer, Hemp is still used in rope production. Most cops I knew couldn’t care less about pot. But where there is pot, there are all of the other drugs. A pot dealer with rare exception is a meth and heroin dealer. Now back to bears. These were not the ignorant Idahoans you so despise. They were Nevadans, that crossed from Idaho into Montana. There is no shortage of grizzly in Montana. It seems to me that the electrical production along the Columbia helped those aluminum plants and nuke bomb plants win WW2 and the cold war. Besides if it were not for electricity, Eastern Washington would be even more useless.
Kivaari on September 16 at 7:01 p.m.
@ The seer, You are just lucky. What would you do if attacked? What would you do to save another person? Having a gun along is like having a fire extinguisher along. Better to have and not need it….
I have stopped assaults and a kidnapping with my personal gun.
Unarmed people generally wont take the risk of getting killed. Oh it is just too violent. Look at the violent crime in Spokane or Tacoma and Spanaway. Ugly places.
mdriftmeyer on September 16 at 7:17 p.m.
I’m all for defending one’s self against a bear attack. Now I keep hearing conflicting locations and elevations where this attack occurred.
I’ve head repeatedly that the attack occurred at high [relative to the peak/valley differential] elevations which means the hunters were not in Black Bear hunting terrain [who forage at low, southerly slope elevations predominantly].
If that’s the case, they entered into Grizzly terrain and unfortunately for them and their loved ones they lost cherished family members.
You go hunting black bears in high elevations, all you’ll find are grizzlies and perhaps that was the intent—to poach.
No one’s going to ever claim they were poaching but any seasoned hunter knows the deeper, more remote, high elevations are Grizzly territory only.
Here’s an idea [and anyone who claims Grizzlies are overrunning their land ought to have their land rescinded], stop hunting for Bear.
Focus on Moose, Elk, and Black/Whitetail Deer.
Leave the natural predators alone to thin out the weak.
johnclarke on September 16 at 7:18 p.m.
This is like the Kivaari thread. I was obviously (to most people) joking about Star Trek.
However Mister K, I do find your logic - or lack of logic one might say, most puzzling. True sportsman that is tend to support a healthy and robust food chain, including the animals that were here prior to our arrival. They respect the fact they are entering natural habit, essentially the animal’s turf.
Now, to the prior topic of “a North Idaho man who shot and killed a grizzly cub in May after it and two others wandered onto his property and were seen near his children’s 4-H pig pen.” Oddly, today is the first time I have read that the bear was a cub, and threatening pigs, not people. If one were to believe the prior stories, the guy was fighting off a grizzly attack on his kids. I was not there, but could the guy have just stayed in his house and called the authorities? Or perhaps like so many ranchers had he “tired of being raided?”.
The animals were here before us folks, so we can learn to live with them (I vote this way) , or as proposed above simply kill them because we are more important (or ignorant). You decide who is making the most sense.
Kivaari on September 16 at 7:27 p.m.
@ clarke, I am not supporting the killing of grizzly bears. Where did you get that idea. A Spokane hunter killed over a hundred grizzly and guided others into the region at the turn of the last century. Even he came to realize the folly of his serial killing. I have no complaint with Idaho, Montana and Washington outlawing the killing of grizzlies. No problem at all with protecting the species. I do object to any federal involvement. There is no constitutional mandate for the feds to be involved. I want all federal lands not used for defense or nuke research to be given to the individual states, or better yet to the counties. I want serious rules regarding uses to be written at the state level.
GMa on September 16 at 7:43 p.m.
And now they want to place Grizzly Bear in the Okanogan county
of Washington State. This really makes we wonder when this type of thing will stop. Between Winthrop and Twisp many people are living and raising children. The Fish and Game Dept. first work at convincing the population that Bear and People are compatible neighbors. They publish that so many of the local public are convinced that they can live together amiably.
This is just not true! there will always be problems with human
and grizzly bear encounters. The Loup Loup area, between Okanogan and Twisp is also being chosen as a place to let them live and multiply. If you have ever spent time raising a family there, you would realize that it is
one of the few areas where you can take your family and feel
relatively safe. The Methow valley is also designated as future
Grizzly habitat. The Methow valley is not an isolated wilderness
area. Neither are Mazama, Winthrop and Twisp.
The bear that are being transplanted.. are they from overpopulated Seattle area zoos..?
I hope that people can start thinking for themselves about
things like this, and not let themselves be brainwashed into thinking man and Grizzly can live together without it
being a serious threat to both man and beast.
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 8:25 p.m.
Just go up to Grizzly County Alaska, or Wolfville Chignik Alaska where the wolves ate the schoolteacher, and the troopers went on a shooting spree in Port Heiden, due to the fact that wolves wer running thru town eating the dog’s cat’s and looking for another schoolteacher.
Yes, a US Government Bounty for 100 years, and everyone wonder why?
You know it’s a bit difficult to reason today with a supposed scientist, wha also had his brains sucked out at a public education facility.
Go get a helocopter, Alaska State Trooper style, a long barrled 10 guage shotgun, working wonders in the wood, where Winnie the Poo, really dosent live!
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 8:31 p.m.
Headline News, is always a confusing subject matter…
http://www.adn.com/2010/03/11/1179368/teacher-likely-killed-by-wolves.html
Kivaari on September 16 at 8:46 p.m.
Liberty Bell, There is no convincing the city folk about the dangers of wolves or bears. When the federal government tries to re-set the natural balance when the population is 50 times higher then it was in 1880 there is bound to be more human - bear/wolf interactions that turn out bad. The people that want people out of the wilderness and think pepper spray is the answer are the same people that want cops to use non-lethal weapons against killers.
bare838 on September 16 at 9:21 p.m.
Kivaari, you sound like a real expert. Why don’t you tell us, just how many grizzly have been transplanted to Boundary County?
Folks are always so quick to jump to conclusions… at this point there are many unanswered questions. Let’s just see how the story spins out.
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 9:28 p.m.
We know that Kivaari,
Thats why they need to be released DownTown.
It would assist society as a whole, to experiance mother nature first hand, at it’s finest
A great place to start would be the Spokane Mayors Office, then a pack of wolves at the high school, you know those packs of wolves, the gang bangers, just like those killer wahales, nature at its finest hour, surround your prey, it’s great watchingthose whales attacking other whales when the bloodbath continues. Ever watch a beluga, attempt to get up the side of a mountain, in the Bering Sea…Classic,
Yea the Old Lewis and Clark Journals, where feast or famine explained nature at its finest hour, however that was before the farmer, rancher, cow poke and the others…
Yea love those Grizzles, but even those boys for Jefferson learned in a hurry…
Yes the Winnie the poo Amertican, dunber than a bag of rocks, shown best across the world, and right here in the 4th Corner, you know the corner, the one they sat in with the dunce cap on tight!
When in the course of Human Events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to one another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the seperate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind….
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 9:35 p.m.
You can’t call them Killer Whales, there Orcas???
DUMBER THAN A SACK OF Idaho
POTATOES.
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-02-24/entertainment/29982032_1_killer-whale-trainer-seaworld
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 9:43 p.m.
The wolf pack, in WATER, Fishin for Tuition?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaidpx3b0Jg&feature=related
Kivaari on September 16 at 10:03 p.m.
@ Liberty Bell, We can call them Killer Whales, it is a common description of the Orca. Don’t call the Seattle Seahawks, Seahawks, they are Osprey. The Seattle Osprey? No ring to it.
@Bare, I don’t know of any. Bear are native species that were hunted to near extinction nearly 100 years ago. Most grizzly are entering from Montana and Canada. In Washington they are gradually moving south from Canada. The California bears were hunted into extinction. Like I say, I love the big bears. I hope they have a good time re-populating the wilderness areas. Since people are more wide spread there will be more human - bear interaction. Usually the bear loses. There are large numbers of grizzly on the west slope of the Marshall’s around Ronan and Charlo. With the good numbers there and to the west, bear numbers should be high in a few years. There are few problems in that area. Personally the wolf re-introduction seems to be a bigger concern to Idahoans. Hunters dislike the heavy predation of deer and elk by wolf packs. When I am in the woods, my first lethal threat concern is another person. With wolves around our area, they concern me since it is hard to defeat a pack mentality. Keep in mind that coming upon a moose or elk is dangerous as well. Go golfing in Kellogg, where moose frequent the course. The Selkirk’s East of Priest Lake is a traditional area for grizzly. Expect to meet bear. Just be prepared.
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 10:25 p.m.
Of course the Bear’s not as much a threat
Chapter V. U.S. Grant “Army of Occupation”, stealing Mexico for a Democrat Grants memouirs. politicians and wolves, the similarities known forever.
“After the second night at Goliad, Benjamin and I started to make the remainder of the journey alone. We reached Corpus Christi just in time to avoid “absence without leave.” We met no one—not even an Indian—during the remainder of our journey, except at San Patricio. A new settlement had been started there in our absence of three weeks, induced possibly by the fact that there were houses already built, while the proximity of troops gave protection against the Indians. On the evening of the first day out from Goliad we heard the most unearthly howling of wolves, directly in our front. The prairie grass was tall and we could not see the beasts, but the sound indicated that they were near. To my ear it appeared that there must have been enough of them to devour our party, horses and all, at a single meal. The part of Ohio that I hailed from was not thickly settled, but wolves had been driven out long before I left. Benjamin was from Indiana, still less populated, where the wolf yet roamed over the prairies. He understood the nature of the animal and the capacity of a few to make believe there was an unlimited number of them. He kept on towards the noise, unmoved. I followed in his trail, lacking moral courage to turn back and join our sick companion. I have no doubt that if Benjamin had proposed returning to Goliad, I would not only have “seconded the motion” but have sug gested that it was very hard-hearted in us to leave Augur sick there in the first place; but Benjamin did not propose turning back. When he did speak it was to ask: “Grant, how many wolves do you think there are in that pack?” Knowing where he was from, and suspecting that he thought I would over-estimate the number, I determined to show my acquaintance with the animal by putting the estimate below what possibly could be correct, and answered: “Oh, about twenty,” very indifferently. He smiled and rode on. In a minute we were close upon them, and before they saw us. There were just TWO of them. Seated upon their haunches, with their mouths close together, they had made all the noise we had been hearing for the past ten minutes. I have often thought of this incident since when I have heard the noise of a few disappointed politicians who had deserted their associates. There are always more of them before they are counted.”
Liberty_Bell on September 16 at 10:35 p.m.
“We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.”
― Chief Joseph
hatetoregister on September 16 at 10:49 p.m.
So let me get this straight. 3 guys go into the forest to kill bears. 1 bear kills one of the guys who was trying to kill it. NOW people want to be upset with the bear for DEFENDING itself against 3 morons? Give me a break! This guy got EXACTLY what he deserved. Why is it that people only consider human life to be precious? Why shouldn’t this bear fight to live just like every other living creature is entitled to do? These guys went looking for death - they found it! They went looking to cause death and they did. I wish I could feel sorry for the guy, but I don’t. If killing things is the only way you can enjoy yourself, then live by the sword and die by the sword. Grizzly rest in peace!
IdahoBob on September 17 at 7:38 a.m.
If the feds want to reintroduce large predators into “previously inhabited” areas, let them start dumping grizzlies and wolves into all the large city parks all over America. Afterall, the wolves and bears used to live there, too.
johnclarke on September 17 at 9:32 a.m.
Kiv - the problem is the states historically can’t be trusted to manage the lands, this is why they were set aside to begin with -to ensure the lands are left for everyone to enjoy.
kma on September 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Where are all those that posted earlier. Where are you? Have you read the real report on this incident? What a bunch of typical effeing idjits, just like the hunters from Nevada. They said they didn’t know it was a Grizzly, my arse!!!!
If it were up to the little Gov of Idaho, he would definitely have all the wild animals killed so he and all his boys could go horse back riding without a worry in the world. Build their illegal cabins and of course out of timber that was stolen and then deny it (Hart, you know the one that doesn’t pay his taxes either). This state has become a laughing stock of this country.
Now, two beautiful animals in about 6 months have been killed for no reason. You know the other one, Hill, that said he was protecting his family and pigs. Well, if he and his wife were protecting their family, then why was he showering and she was sleeping while the little ones were out back without any supervision. I still can’t believe he got away with killing a protected animal but that is how Idaho is now. The good ole boys make up the rules as they see fit at that moment. Maybe Hill and his wife should be charged with child neglect. They knew they lived in Grizzly country and left their children unsupervised. Hello?????????? Oh, and the Grizzlys probably were just wanting some of their pigs. My thought, if you don’t want them on your 20+ acres, then put a a 20 foot wall concrete wall.
Yeah, idahobob, maybe in your back yard to start!!! And, THE GRIZZLY’S WERE THERE FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IdahoBob on September 18 at 7:48 a.m.
kma,
There are grizzlies and wolves in my back yard thanks to the all-powerful federal government and the bleeding heart urban liberals. Thankfully, I can now purchase an $11 tag to legally shoot the invasive species Canadian grey wolves. We can also trap the damn things and sell the pelts on the fur market. Wanna guess how many wolves each Idahoan is allowed to kill this season?
Hill didn’t get away with killing a grizzly. He was fined $1000 for defending his family and property, The mistake Hill made was calling F&G. Shoot, shovel, & shut up.
Where did you get this notion that its ok for a predator to eat a family’s livestock? We raise animals because we don’t want to eat that crap sold in the grocery stores. Do you have any idea what it costs to raise and slaughter hogs? Of course you don’t. What you fail to realize, is once you allow wild animals to kill livestock, it NEVER stops. I’ll put it into terms even you can understand. You let the neighborhood junkie break into your home/yard/garage and steal $300 in property every day. Likely, he only wants your stuff; but there is the distinct possibility that he may want you or your kids. The situation is unpredictable. Even a liberal like you will put a stop to it.
The_Seer on September 18 at 8:48 a.m.
The headline for this article demonstrates our crippling human-centric world view that has allowed for the wholesale destruction of what was once a natural paradise. Why couldn’t it be “Hunter kills Grizzly Bear Near Boundary County?
kma on September 20 at 10:42 a.m.
Then, idahobob, DON’T LIVE THERE. I don’t give a hoot about your hogs, cows, chickens, etc. The wild animals were there first. OH, THERE YOU GO, typical repuk, BLAMING the federal government. God, you people are really out in LALA LAND!! FENCE THEM OUT idahobob or deal with it. Oh, that’s right, you think it is your right to take over all the land for your PERSONAL use and kill off all the wild animals so you can run around without a worry in the world. IT ISN’T OUR PROBLEM to protect your ANIMALS IdahoBob, IT IS YOUR PROBLEM, AND YOURS ONLY.
DEAL WITH IT and stop whining!!!
They, no doubt in my mind, were up there to kill a Grizzly for profit but GOT CAUGHT!!! and someone unfortunately died.
And because I am for the protection of wild animals I am a liberal, YOU DAM RIGHT I AM, as REPUKS like you could give a S..T. about wild animals or people. It is always just ME, ME, ME with people like you IdahoBob.
kma on September 20 at 10:44 a.m.
Wow, I missed your comment about not saying anything and covering it up.
That proves that what I thought about you is sooooo very true IdahoBob.
pharley on September 22 at 11:56 a.m.
@hatetoregister you got it right with one of the best comments on this page but for the part that the guy deserved it, conversely it could also be said the bear got what it deserved. It’s an unfortunate encounter but I agree, if you go looking for death why then would you not expect to find the hunted your hunter.
It always makes me laugh to see these hunters using high powered scopes to shoot their prey. From a safe, comfortable distance they boast about their shooting skills. I have more respect for those hunters that stalk without scopes.
Evans on September 25 at 10:28 a.m.
BEAR HUNTING IS DANGEROUS! More so than bull fighting. People take risks, sometimes they loose. Chalk that one up to a series of poor decisions and lesson learned.
Bob_Knows on September 27 at 7:49 a.m.
There seems to be another bear attacking another person almost daily this year. Have the wild creatures lost fear of humans because humans haven’t hurt them for years and years? Do I need to carry a weapon while walking the remote stretches of the John Wayne Trail State Park? I’m all for wild life, but I’m not so big on getting mauled by a bear for “running away.”