[pct-l] rubber bullets

[Brick Robbins <brick@fastpack.com>]

>:rubber bullets are saving the lives of bears in areas like Glacier National
>:Park,

Actually the town of Mammoth Lakes is using similar methods (fire crackers, etc) to try and keep the bears out of the dump there. They have been gathering for the easy food, and then wander into town.

The problem is a legal one: It is illegal to harras bears in California. The town has been doing it anyway with the blessing of the local Fish and Game folks, but it is still illegal. (I heard some folks at the state level are trying to enforce the law.)

OTOH, it is legal to KILL a problem bear. So they can KILL but the can't SCARE. Stupid, huh?

This is the sort of thing that happens when we try to legislate wildereness management.

Just my two cents...

--
Brick Robbins                     Life is a Journey, not a Destination
mailto:brick@fastpack.com        http://www.fastpack.com/brick 


* From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net   *

==============================================================================