[pct-l] Bear Canister "required" areas on PCT in the Sierra...

[Bob Bankhead]

The problem - in one man's opinion - is one of too many bears in too small an area. The natural food supply therein is insufficient to feed them all. 

Whenever there are not enough resources (in this case, food) to support an established population, that population must either find a new food source in the area (in this case, people food), relocate to another area that has the needed resources, or die off until it reaches a level that can be sustained by the available resource supply. That's nature's way and it has worked since life began. When man tries to fool around with that natural balance, all he does is cause trouble.

So, I'll take the politically incorrect (but ecologically sound) position: immediately start a massive reduction (kill or relocate) of the Black Bear population in the Sierras. Reduce that population to the level that their natural habitat can actually support (aka "the wild state") without the dependence on people food. Add an economic benefit by opening the hunting season and let license fees help fund the reduction. Other state and federal land managers routinely selectively cull wildlife populations to prevent mass starvation, and adjust the lengths of hunting and fishing seasons or the number of animals allowed to be taken when needed to maintain a healthy population level.

THEN you can really regulate, enforce, and penalize people who do not properly store or handle food in the area. No free passes. No tiny slap-on-the-wrist type fines. Make it hurt. This will help to "motivate" compliance.

Now I seriously doubt that any bureaucrat or politician is going to risk ending their career by defying the animal rights activists and outraging the public by suggesting, let alone actually doing, such a thing in the Sierras. It is far easier to control, regulate, and fine the people than to actually control the bears.

End rant.


Wandering Bob
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