Shooting Bears

[djj]

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

djj:

I get the sence from your post(s) that you are a good person with a good heart. Most of the people that I know who do not "like" hunting are not eco-terrorists but, like yourself, caring people. Oddly enough most of these people spend very little time in the woods studying them.

Hunters are a very important part of the state's plan to maintain good healthy herds. No matter what species, Deer, bear, turkey, etc. The hunters are the one thing that the scientists can control. The NH Fish and are experts and can predict how many animals are taken (male and female) in an area and how to control the licensing to maintain a healthy herd. I do hunt but not bear. I don't really enjoy the meat and they serve a better purpose to me personally being alive doing their thing in the woods. I don't blame those who do hunt them. As I said they serve a purpose. It's just not my thing.

Now to our black bear problem. First off black bears are not aggressive. If you see one in the woods it is best to shout at it. Act like a human and they will almost always run, except.

If you have a mother with cubs. Back off! Hell hath not fury as a mother defending her cubs.

The other sitation is if they become used to humans. Like getting into our garbage. If they lose that "man fear" you have a dangerous animal. That's why you DON'T FEED THE BEARS!"

If memory serves me right, a couple of years ago a child was mauled by a black bear at Funspot. (Maybe not a child, I really don't remember the details) and an actual attack may not have happened. The bear got used to getting into the trash at Funspot and a Laconia police officer had to shoot it with his .

The point is that the bear got used to people and lost his (her) fear of man. They sort of get used to the smells, etc. It then went from a docile animal that is afraid of man to an aggressive animal that was dangerous.

We can place blame for the condition of the dumpster on the Bob House or maybe Wast Management but the fact remains that, as I understand the situation, there was a dangerous animal in close proximity to a great number of unsuspecting diners and visitors to the craft places that share the property.

My guess is that the unfortunate reality is that this bear had to go.

I am sorry for the bear.

Misty Blue

I agree with most everything you stated. Well, that is except the first part about the kind of person I am. I am not that good of a person and sometimes I can be a bit heartless.

I guess my feeling is that I wish the owners of the Bob House had handled the situation differently. From my understanding they have owned several restaurants in this state and I think they should know better. It must be stated that they didn't seem to mind putting their patrons in danger by using an inadequate dumpster. In fact I believe they are still using the same kind of dumpster and there is another bear visiting. Hopefully they will change it before they feel that they have to kill this one.

I know the woman who owns "the craft shops" which shares the property is quite upset by what the owners of the Bob House have done.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by djj

In fact I believe they are still using the same kind of dumpster and there is another bear visiting. Hopefully they will change it before they feel that they have to kill this one.

It is very unfortunate that the bear had to be disposed of, but safety in a populated area is of utmost importance.

If The Bob House has not changed to a bear resistant dumpster and is setting up the exact same scenario with another bear, then that is just wrong. Has anyone contacted The Bob House to ask?