Major decision being made on MN bear hunting!

[jkcmj]

MN DNR met yesterday to consider making it illegal to hunt collared bears in MN.  This meeting, and the decision to consider a rule on this is influenced by the Anti-hunting group being organized by Lynn Rogers of the Wildlife Research Institute, who also runs the Lily the Black Bear page on Facebook.  

The goal of the organization is to organize those who are against bear hunting into a force in determining how wildlife hunting decisions are made in MN.  They are using members and tactics borrowed from anti-hunting forces from PETA, The Humane Society of the United States, and from overseas to try persuading our MN DNR Wildlife officials through intimidation and mass letter and emailing campaigns.

They have posted results of their previous write in efforts and though the few hundred letters or emails they were able to get people to send to officials don't seem like much in the scope of things, the 6 letters(mine included) received against the proposed law or DNR ruling, speaks volumes to those considering the decision.  Those concerned about private property owners rights, private "ownership" over wildlife resources, or the future of Wildlife management in our state need to stand up and be heard on this issue.

Here is a link to the update yesterday where they are again planning a mass letter writing campaign to intimidate our DNR Wildlife policey makers and legislators.
  
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=h#!/notes/lily-the-black-bear/update-february-25-2011-906-pm-cst/10150193826504478

Here are some of the people they are asking their people to contact.

Commissioner Tom Landwehr

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  

500 Lafayette Road

St Paul, MN 55155-4040

Tom.Landwehr@state.mn.us

 

Tom is the decision-maker.  Hopefully, he will read your letters and pass them down the chain of command to his staff of advisers mentioned above.

 

Representative David Dill

273 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St Paul, MN 55155

Rep.David.Dill@house.mn

 

Rep. Dill is the representative from our area.  Without his support, we have little chance.

 

Representative Phyllis Kahn

353 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St Paul, MN 55155

Rep. Phyllis.Kahn@house.mn

 

Rep. Kahn is willing to write legislation and talk to key people.  She wants to see copies of your letters.  She will likely use them in her discussions.

 

Governor Mark Dayton

Office of the Governor

130 State Capitol

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/index.jsp

[dakids]

I think that the collared bear are wild animals and they should make it illegal to collar the bears.  Lynn Rogers is making money off of these bear.  They are not his bear.  The same people that want to protect the timber wolves are also behind this campain to save the collared bear.

[Go Big Red!]

Really?  What's next?  No shooting collared deer, elk, rams, etc.  Where do these people come up with this stuff?

Isn't mortality due to hunting part of these wildlife studies?

[jkcmj]

We need people from the outdoors community to write in asking legislators and the DNR commisioner to utilize scientific data, and real MN citizen's input when considering changes to our state's game laws and Wildlife Management Decisions.

We cannot have them hearing only the militant anti-hunting rhetoric produced by the people at WRI and the Lily the Black Bear site.

If you do not believe this impacts you, as a hunter, all you need to do is look at who and what these people represent.  Look up any anti-bear hunting organization on the net and you will find they all list Lynn Rogers as one of their scources.  Look at some of the links listed on the Lily page and you will find he is sending people to anti-hunting movement groups.  Here are just a couple of the many anti-hunting groups Lynn supports behind the scenes, and references to him on their sites.

http://www.savenjbears.com/nature.html


http://www.aplnj.org/Black-Bears.php

This is a link to a site with great info regarding the impact these groups are having and why it is important for all of us to get involved at a time like this.  Here is a piece off their site...


http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/news/index.php?topic=121.0

United We Stand

Of the many battles hunters lost to anti-hunting groups, Jeanneret said almost all could have been won. He is sometimes dismayed by the lack of unity among hunters, especially when an issue doesn’t directly affect certain core groups.

“Bear hunters have really been fighting some big battles, and in a few cases, losing those battles," he said. "I have no doubt that if deer hunters and bird hunters joined to help defend bear hunting, there might have been no defeats."

However, Jeanneret is convinced that many hunters don’t see the link between deer hunting and dove or bear hunting or trapping.

“These anti-hunting organizations succeed when they go after the less popular groups of hunters, like bear hunters or mountain lion hunters, because they know they are the most vulnerable and often have the least amount of support from the hunting community as a whole," he said. "They aren’t attacking bear hunters because they only hate bear hunters. If we want to protect the future of hunting that has to change. Hunters need to step up and speak out for one another, even if the antis are attacking something you don’t do.”

In other words, don’t wait until your freedom to hunt whitetails is directly at risk. Believe it or not, all forms of hunting are under attack, even if the anti-hunting crowd hasn’t set their sights on you yet.

[HUNTER2]

I think there is only a few that are collared and should be protected to study the animals. There is plenty of animals that can be shot that are not collared. I am in faver of not shooting them and I am a hunter.

[deadeye]

So, let's say they do put a restriction on shoot a bear with a collar.  What's to stop "them" from starting a massive bear collaring program.  Once you have a sow collared, it's an easy step to collar her cubs.  Or perhaps they may also make it illegal to shoot a color phase bear.

[rem]

I have no problem passing on a collared bear. You should let them live plenty of bears out there they should also encourage sows with cubs to be passed as well. How could u feel good shooting either one  ( i have shot 5 bears so im also a hunter)

[FireRanger]

Someone started collaring the squirrels in my neighborhood years ago and the population has exploded!!   Damn tree rats are everywhere! DON"T SHOOT COLLARED SQUIRRELS!

On a serious note I can see both sides. Sure, there's lots of bears out there, so pass on the collared. However, open the door for the politicians and there goes the neighborhood.

[jkcmj]

As long as it is not your bears they are collaring you are fine with it.   Exactly the attitude that will destroy our hunting heritage in this state.  You buy acreage in prime bear habitat, have them move in next door with a barrel full of collars and soon all the bear are wearing them.  Tough luck, you have to move or go hunt on public far from the land you invested in...

Short sighted thinking destroys the future of everyone who enjoys hunting.  The big picture seems impossible for some to understand.  They seem unable to see past their own boot straps if isn't someone knocking down the treestands on their little 40....

[beeker]

the problem is the research end of this.. what are they researching? and what are the expected out comes? bears in MN have to deal with hunters as a part fo their species attrition rate. so the bottom line is hunters interfer with their research and they don't want any compitition and want to flex their muscle at the expense of the hunters.. hunters who pump more money into the system then these research yoyo's ever will. personally I wouldn't shoot a collared bear just because I wouldn't want the hastle of explaing to my kid why I'm stomping a collar into the muck at the bottom of a swamp rather then turn it in and have us become some evil villain in the paper.  the kid that got her first bear last year and turned in a collar was attacked in the star trib.. it was pathetic.. i wouldn't let it happen to my kid.

[Go Big Red!]

the problem is the research end of this.. what are they researching? and what are the expected out comes? bears in MN have to deal with hunters as a part fo their species attrition rate. so the bottom line is hunters interfer with their research and they don't want any compitition and want to flex their muscle at the expense of the hunters.. hunters who pump more money into the system then these research yoyo's ever will. personally I wouldn't shoot a collared bear just because I wouldn't want the hastle of explaing to my kid why I'm stomping a collar into the muck at the bottom of a swamp rather then turn it in and have us become some evil villain in the paper.  the kid that got her first bear last year and turned in a collar was attacked in the star trib.. it was pathetic.. i wouldn't let it happen to my kid.

Good point Beeker.  They collar to track the habits and territory and survival rate of these animals. Whether the animal is legally harvested or hit by a truck, that's part of the research, the data collection and the analysis of that data whether the bear died from a gun shot wound or grew old.

[nic53]

The way I look at it as a hunter is I don't want to have to sit in my stand waiting for the bear that is hitting my bait to find out it is collared and I have wasted all my time and money that i have put in for gas and bait. And yes i know hunting is not always about bagging an animal and i enjoy just being out in the woods but it is nice to know if i have a mature bear come into my bait i can shoot it. I'm guessing they know most things about bears already after years of studies. What else do they want to know? As of now i have no problem shooting a collared bear if the law changes I will be upset but do the legal thing.

[jkcmj]

The DNR Commish came out with the DNR stance staying as is...  Good.  Now likely Rogers will try to push something through the legislature.  We will have to see how that goes.  Any legislation proposed would have to get through the outdoor commitees, which are largely pro-hunting, so my hope is by contacting commitee members specifically, we can convince them to keep any proposed legislation from ever getting on the floor for a vote.  Once in commitee, any off the wall bill like this can be tabled indefinetely.


Duluth Tribune

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/192604/group/Sports/

Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/blogs/117087053.html

DNR Commish statements:


 "Wildlife belongs to all Minnesotans,'' Landwehr continued. "It is a public resource, and wild game animals are lawful to harvest under state law. Placing a collar and flagging on a game animal shouldn’t 'reserve' it for one individual or group. Even in the name of research, individuals or groups shouldn’t be allowed to preempt legal harvest. It sets a terrible precedent for usurpation of public resources.''

· Finally, Landwehr said the issue should be resolved in the Legislature, adding that the DNR also loses collared bears to hunters each fall. "But in a wild population of wild animals, hunting is a function of their life cycle in a human-dominate landscape,'' he said.

[Go Big Red!]

[
DNR Commish statements:


 "Wildlife belongs to all Minnesotans,'' Landwehr continued. "It is a public resource, and wild game animals are lawful to harvest under state law. Placing a collar and flagging on a game animal shouldn’t 'reserve' it for one individual or group. Even in the name of research, individuals or groups shouldn’t be allowed to preempt legal harvest. It sets a terrible precedent for usurpation of public resources.''

· Finally, Landwehr said the issue should be resolved in the Legislature, adding that the DNR also loses collared bears to hunters each fall. "But in a wild population of wild animals, hunting is a function of their life cycle in a human-dominate landscape,'' he said.
[/quote]

My thoughts exactly.

[glenn57]

what about not shootin banned ducks etc. ithink this is rediclus!! i've hunted bear many times, first off its hard enough to see them with all the vegitation still green etc much less lookin for a collar on all that hide. as one other poster stated he's cashin in on this and other anti's are using this to there benefit. this is nonsense!

[beeker]

I like his line about "reserving" an animal. what a bunch of BS to try to ban this.. it's almost as stupid as prohibiting shooting an alibino like it's some new species of critter

[jkcmj]

Rogers group is encouraging Lily fans to write in to key legislators on the environmental commitees to encourage consideration of a bill for protection, likely to be forwarded by Rep. Phylis Kahn.  We need people to write in to appose this so that the legislators get a balanced view on what this could mean to the future of hunting in MN if it is allowed to continue.  Primary contacts to write:

Representative Denny McNamara, Chair
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance
375 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN  55155
651-296-3135
rep.denny.mcnamara@house.mn   

 

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, Chair
Environment and Natural Resources
Capitol Building, Room 303
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155-1606
651-297-8063
sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn

Hand written letters and phone calls get noticed more than email, but anything is better than nothing.

[rem]

what about not shootin banned ducks etc. ithink this is rediclus!! i've hunted bear many times, first off its hard enough to see them with all the vegitation still green etc much less lookin for a collar on all that hide. as one other poster stated he's cashin in on this and other anti's are using this to there benefit. this is nonsense! :censored

all the vegitation bait sites should be cleared for a clear shot i guess if your idea of a trophy has a collar on it then let me tie  up my dog. we use cameras to ensure we dont have collared or sows with cubs if we do we move. Our group of 4 pass and harvest 100 percent just my two cents

[nic53]

what about not shootin banned ducks etc. ithink this is rediclus!! i've hunted bear many times, first off its hard enough to see them with all the vegitation still green etc much less lookin for a collar on all that hide. as one other poster stated he's cashin in on this and other anti's are using this to there benefit. this is nonsense! :censored

all the vegitation bait sites should be cleared for a clear shot i guess if your idea of a trophy has a collar on it then let me tie  up my dog. we use cameras to ensure we dont have collared or sows with cubs if we do we move. Our group of 4 pass and harvest 100 percent just my two cents

Congrats on your 100% rate. Do you realize not everyone has a camera? And for you dog comment that has nothing to do with anything It's not that people are going out looking for bears with collars if that's the case I would say its wrong but if one comes into my bait and is a shooter then BANG. Same treatment as any other bear.

[hadams]

i agree with not shooting a collared bear i think for research and management its an essential tool but they should put a restriction on how many bears are collared no more then the ones they already have in there programs. but yes i do believe collared bears should be concidered wild because they are ! but out of all the times i been bear hunting i never seen a collared bear ! but if they do decide to pass it i think the different groups should be held responsible for manageing how many get collared.

but these are all good points to be heard

is collaring a bear the only way to manage populations ? 

[Go Big Red!]

If I remember correctly, the DNR decided Monday Feb 28 to allow hunters to harvest a collared bear.

[glenn57]

YES THEY DID!!!

[glenn57]

what about not shootin banned ducks etc. ithink this is rediclus!! i've hunted bear many times, first off its hard enough to see them with all the vegitation still green etc much less lookin for a collar on all that hide. as one other poster stated he's cashin in on this and other anti's are using this to there benefit. this is nonsense! :censored

all the vegitation bait sites should be cleared for a clear shot i guess if your idea of a trophy has a collar on it then let me tie  up my dog. we use cameras to ensure we dont have collared or sows with cubs if we do we move. Our group of 4 pass and harvest 100 percent just my two cents

sorry dude, idont hunt dogs! and i dont brush out the woods for my benifet either.

Congrats on your 100% rate. Do you realize not everyone has a camera? And for you dog comment that has nothing to do with anything It's not that people are going out looking for bears with collars if that's the case I would say its wrong but if one comes into my bait and is a shooter then BANG. Same treatment as any other bear.

[Cody Gruchow]

im glad they didnt rule for not shooting the collared bears.. they are wild animals, and the anti's would use that as a momentum shift and pretty soon lots of bears would be collared. as said before whats the point of the need for further research? and im sure after they managed to do that then they would move onto collaring the next animal, like the whitetail deer. if we allow them to start pushing these laws on us then the antis are slowly winning

[AJDodgerf]

That entire video is  all they are doing is screwing with nature when they interact with wild animals that way.  The WI DNR has done the same thing with the timber wolves in northern WI and now there are some that are no longer naturally scared by human activity.  If they are going to do this type of tracking they need to go back to the old way of den hunting and tranqualizers.  But as far as the main discussion goes....if it is legal shoot it before some kids are out on a hike and the bear decides to check and see if they have any hazelnuts in their pockets, the not so polite way. 

[Go Big Red!]

I firmly believe if it is collared, banded, etc. it should be harvested as part of the research program.

[glenn57]

  yep i agree!!!

[jkcmj]

WRI "Researchers" continue daily attacks on hunters and DNR Wildlife officials.  These people continue to ignore the real issues involved for their own selfish ends...We need to ensure private property rights and rely on Scientific based wildlife management instead of the twisted disney mentality that is sure to be harmful to the bears in the end...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/lily-the-black-bear/update-march-6-2011-856-pm-cst/10150202046509478

A portion of the commentary is pasted below...

 

How could Commissioner Landwehr make such a lop-sided decision?  He sided with a few dozen hunters who might be slightly inconvenienced instead of siding with science, tourism values, all you have done for the Ely economy, and the vast educational value of the bears to the public and to students.   How could a decision like that make sense to a governor and commissioner?  One guess would be to follow the dollars.  Deer and bear hunters alone pay about $15-20 million dollars in license fees and taxes on their purchases of hunting equipment bring in another $11-14 million dollars directly to the DNR.  These millions pay salaries and more.  The wildlife officials who say that Minnesota’s wildlife belongs to all Minnesotans are actually having their salaries paid by hunters.

 

Can these officials avoid biases in their decisions when it comes to decisions that pit a slight bit of inconvenience to a few hunters against great benefits to thousands of people who want to learn?

 

Actually, wildlife watchers contribute much more to Minnesota’s economy, over a billion per year, but their money goes into the general economy, not into the paychecks of wildlife management officials.

 

Hunters and their money are indeed a powerful lobby.

[FireRanger]

I firmly believe if it is collared, banded, etc. it should be harvested as part of the research program.

x2

[jkcmj]

You cannot judge a book by looking at it's cover, but you can get a pretty good idea about what's inside by looking what section it's in. Bound to be fiction if it is in the fiction section at the library.

Look at where Lynn and WRI are sending followers to sign the petition. The Care2 website is an ultra liberal leftist anti-hunting, anti-gun, organization designed to get all of the folks who would love to ban bear hunting to sign petitions and become active against hunting of all sorts. Don't believe me, look it up for yourself.

Rogers and WRI have been a lot more careful in recent months to clean up what is portrayed on their websites so they are not marganalized with the ant- hunting nuts, but take a look at what "section of society" they are aligning themselves with and you should be able to figure out what is going on in the big picture on this.

Just to save you some time in looking at where Lynn Rogers,WRI, and the Bear Center are heading with all this, just take a look at the links provided by the Bear Center itself:

http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/helpful-links.html

Here is a quick list of the most anti-hunting of them for you, including the most militant, best funded, anti-hunting organization of all, HSUS:

http://www.savenjbears.com/nature.html

http://www.aplnj.org/Black-Bears.php

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/protect-research-bears-from-hunters-in-minnesota/

http://www.savebears.org/

http://www.wspa.ca/

http://www.humanesociety.org/wildlife_abuse/campaigns/