Bad News Bears Michael D. Faw


from coast to coast, can weigh up to 800 pounds, will boldly break into cabins and cars, and can—and does—kill and eat humans. This huge pest also de- stroys or eats valuable farm crops such as wheat, apples, and cherries. Plus, this varmint readily bashes honey bee hives and gobbles the honey. Which varmint, you might wonder? THE BLACK BEAR


As North America’s largest (URSUS AMERICANUS). The great news is that black bears


can be hunted in most regions of North America, but the bad news (except for hunters) is that black bear populations are expanding. Unarmed citizens be- ware! Now for a look at the numbers: Black bears killed 12 humans be-


tween the 2000 and 2009 period. In May 2000, a black bear killed and partially ate a hiker in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Another deadly bear attack on an 8-year-old child reportedly occurred there in Au- gust 2008. In June 2007, a young boy on a family camping trip was dragged from a tent and killed by a black bear in Utah. Numerous people have been attacked by black bears while walking their dog, taking out the trash, or hiking. In addition to fatal attacks and horrifi c maulings, bears cause other problems. Black bears have broken into cabins in Minnesota and homes in Colorado. If food, or the odors of edibles, is present, hungry bears often will cause consider- able property damage as they muscle their way in. Bears often are bad news. Now, for the good news for hunt-


ers: In many states or regions black bears can be hunted for a small fee with the purchase of an over-the-counter hunt- ing license. You should note that voter- induced hunting regulation changes about a decade ago in some areas, like California and Colorado, banned hunt- ing bears with dogs. Some states also ban bear baiting. The good news is that most bear hunting restrictions have re- sulted in increased bear numbers. Even better news is that more problem bears


The author got this Alberta black bear during a spring hunt.


result in a cry for help from hunters who want to place a black bear in their rifl e or shotgun sights. If you have not hunted bears


before, now is a good time to set your sights on North America’s largest – and deadliest – varmint.


TOO BOLD BRUINS “This stand has a lot of bear activ-


ity around it,” observed Todd Loewen, owner of Alberta’s Red Will Lodge, as we unloaded bags of honey-covered oats and hung strips of rancid meat scraps from nails driven high up tree


varmint, this species ranges


Find a set of big bear tracks and there may be a trophy bear nearby for you to tag.


www.varminthunter.org Page 81


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