tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post7283685732858431608..comments2023-06-26T08:35:41.795-04:00Comments on Nature in a Nutshell: The bad with the good...Alyssa Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05944057074589003472noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post-73096939236850956132012-07-27T12:37:43.622-04:002012-07-27T12:37:43.622-04:00Thank you, John. I am really reassured to read you...Thank you, John. I am really reassured to read your comments.Alyssa Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05944057074589003472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post-29112495994120524602012-07-27T12:34:58.701-04:002012-07-27T12:34:58.701-04:00Thanks KB. I wasn't aware of the bait station ...Thanks KB. I wasn't aware of the bait station in Ely, they do some interesting things up there! It was very sad to witness, but now I feel resolved to see this thing through to the end, whatever that may be. Maybe we've reached the end already, but I just didn't feel right walking away from that place and not sharing what I saw.Alyssa Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05944057074589003472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post-82754111605148843912012-07-27T09:15:22.154-04:002012-07-27T09:15:22.154-04:00You have done a great job of laying out the story ...You have done a great job of laying out the story and acknowledging the perspectives that you bring to the table. Part of your post was a preemptive strike against the more common dissenting opinions. People may still disagree with you, but you have set the tone and raised the bar of discourse to a professional level. Anyone commenting below that level does not deserve a response (IMO).John Van Nielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15794094212588258914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post-78583625194086247652012-07-27T08:15:09.595-04:002012-07-27T08:15:09.595-04:00Alyssa,
I am horrified. The reason is that the be...Alyssa,<br /><br />I am horrified. The reason is that the bear's behavior was the fault of the hostel. Indeed, I've heard of cases like that one here in CO where the person was charged with baiting and illegal taking of the bear. Since baiting was outlawed 20 years ago, it's a pretty big offense.<br /><br />Unfortunately, scenarios like that happen all over. One happened in my neighborhood a few years ago, when the bear was not threatening anyone but was just eating food that the careless people had left unsecured.<br /><br />I try to be a voice of reason in our neighborhood email group, pointing out that people should consider it to be their own faults if they draw in bears and trying to get them to see things from a hungry (or starving) bear's viewpoint.<br /><br />I would've been absolutely devastated to witness something like that. I'm glad that you called the authorities, and I really hope that the hostel owner is forced to change his ways.<br /><br />Have you read about the organized bear feeding stations near Ely MN? The stations are deep in the woods, and they give bears food sources in bad years. The bears don't visit them if normal food sources are available but they do visit them in drought years or other low food years. Apparently, over 20 years, the incidence of bear-human interactions near human homes has gone way down there. It seems to me like an idea to consider.<br /><br />I'm so sorry that you had to see that and that the bear was killed.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post-24849790345065994762012-07-27T07:30:02.283-04:002012-07-27T07:30:02.283-04:00I think the fact that you are taking action speaks...I think the fact that you are taking action speaks volumes. That 'owner' was irresponsible and was endangering his staff and all the guests that stay at his hostel for not taking the proper precautions, and then, instead of doing the 'right' thing and chasing the bear off, he chose to kill it with all his guests and staff watching? It's bravado without reason, like it was some kind of big 'show'. BRAVO that you are following up and will speak with the authorities. The guy should be cited not only for taking a bear out of season, but for endangering the humans he is ALSO attracting. Even though there are 'lots of bears' in Alaska, if they keep this up, soon there won't be enough to go around.<br />Love you, Aunt SuzanneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8626677859355568962.post-8997844204642473022012-07-26T23:35:43.160-04:002012-07-26T23:35:43.160-04:00I feel exactly the same as you.No need for sensele...I feel exactly the same as you.No need for senseless shooting, he could have been scared off with loud banging, and if the dumpster had been covered and bear proof, this would not have happened. I have friends who live in St Croix, Maine, have a fishing lodge, and are so careful about food scraps etc. This man should be prosecuted and made an example to all others who would even dare to think the same way.Cruelty, I would have cried.Your life is so worthwhile ,with publishing this, repoprting the incident, maybe having to testify as a witness, and to make the world a better place for all our wildlife is something so special.Hang in there Alyssa, what he did will surely return to him at some stage.Fond greetings, Jean.Nancy Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11854698513524662527noreply@blogger.com