Letter to the Editor
Bear training
Published Thursday, September 4, 2008
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To the editor:
As tragic as the recent bear attack in Gates of the Arctic National Park was, it is agreed that all the parties involved in the rescue of the woman, especially the guide, did the right things and a larger tragedy was avoided.
I would like to believe that at least a small part of “doing the right thing” was due to the preparation given the group at the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot staffed by Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service and where I was until this week, serving as a volunteer for Fish and Wildlife.
Groups entering wilderness areas are given advice and counsel on dealing with emergencies and are asked to view an excellent film called “Leave no Trace” that deals with, among other things, bear encounters. I remember screening the film for these women and listening to the knowledgeable staff at the center answer all of their questions and concerns.
They, and all of us are fortunate to have dedicated people from these agencies on hand to help avoid more of these events when possible, and deal with them wisely and expeditiously when not.
Community Discussion
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Silly me...I read this headline and thought someone was now training the bears to not attack people.
So did I. It sure peaked my interest though, and I guess that is what a good headline is supposed to do.
Heck I thought black bears were being trained to be democrats and browon bears were being trained to be republicans. Silly me.
It is good that the folks up there are raising awareness of the situations you can face while being out in the wild.
you want to help these people? drop the "leave no trace" movie and show a movie on how to handle firearms then hand out guns to them before they head out into the wilderness. or is that illegal in federally occupied land? (that should belong to alaska)
OK. YOu would give the convicted felon a gun. Or wait we could just have background checks done before you can enter into any kind national park, that way we can give you a gun.
Personally I think your safety is your own responsibility. But unfortunately some people do need looked after. I wouldn't be anywhere there are bears and such without a firearm and my bear spray.
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