Rescued La. black bear shot to death after release
A scrawny 2-year-old Louisiana black bear that was able to regain its health at a rescue center was shot to death in December, about eight months after it was released into the wild.
Tom MacKenzie of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it is extremely rare, at least in the Southeast, for something like this to happen.
The bear was shot in Amite County, Miss. Federal officials are investigating and say a man there could face charges because Louisiana black bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The bear was named Kris because it arrived at the rescue center in Townsend, Tenn., shortly before Christmas 2010 after it was found going through trash in south Louisiana.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/01/20/national/a152926S44.DTL#ixzz1k4qUZJes
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MADem
(135,425 posts)
cstanleytech
(26,281 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)starring in this gawd-awful abstinence video?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002195624
SG
DeathToTheOil
(1,124 posts)
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Tragic story for all on legs. Two or four.
SharonAnn
(13,772 posts)The last thing they want is a bear that is comfortable around humans or that associates humans with food or feeding.
Edweird
(8,570 posts)
Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)It happens all the time in the southeast, even in my own county, which rarely sees any kind of bears. If there is no animal organization around an area to try to protect the wild animals, you just don't hear about it, but it does happen quite a bit.
A black bear appeared in my county here in central NC a couple of years ago and the police shot it. Bears are fairly rare around this part of NC, but if we do get them, it is the smaller black bears. The cops chased it through the woods for several miles and swore up and down it stood on its hind legs and towered over them. They shot it, took a picture with several grinning officers holding its head up (it was about 3 and a half feet long from its head to its feet...we must have some mighty short cops here). They put the picture on the front page of the paper all proud of themselves. All that bear did was show up in the county, in a very rural area, but someone happened to see it, called the cops, and the cops fell all over themselves trying to see who could shoot it first. I still cannot believe they claimed it towered over them. It was a small bear.
I call bullshit on that kind of thing happening in the southeast being rare. Rare, my ass. It all depends on whether or not there is an honest news organization or an animal protection organization in an area whether or not you ever hear about it.
GTurck
(826 posts)a gun you just gotta use it. To a hunter there are no endangered species only the prey in the scrope.
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Magleetis
(1,260 posts)Check out the news on the LDWF site. These are the ones who get caught. There are many more who don't get caught. There are also many hunters who follow the rules. The local zoo has an owl that was found with one wing blasted off.
One of the things that I will never get used to about living in the south is the disposable animal mentality.
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news
NCarolinawoman
(2,825 posts)They were duck hunting and he warned the guy if he went over the limit as he said he would, he would report him. This pompous ass replied, "If it flys, it dies". Then he pulled the trigger and killed another duck.
This infuriated my cousin, and that's when he reported him to the NC Wildlife authority. The guy who went over the limit had to pay a huge fine. These two no longer speak to one another.
My cousin knows I hate hunting so will tell me stories like this. He's one of those "conservationist hunters" who belongs to Ducks Unlimited. I still don't understand how he can hunt, but in general, I would have to say he's a really good guy. I've known him all my life.
Magleetis
(1,260 posts)I hope that someone turns in the person who shot the eagle. This happened across the lake from where I live.
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/01/reward_offered_for_bald_eagle_shootint_01_24_2012.html
SteveW
(754 posts)Hunters have provided billions of dollars to wildlife habit preservation and restoration programs, some of which benefit black bears (the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has for years worked for the successful restoration of black bears in that state). Similar such programs have resulted in the re-establishment of elk in Kentucky, and the saving of duck wetlands along their flyways from Canada to Central America. And of course, these programs benefit many more species of flora and fauna than a few game species. You should also note that the LDWF came to know of the dead bear by reports from hunters.
"Hunters in the area reported the bear to LDWF on Sunday, Dec. 11 near the old ferry landing."
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/34874
Besides blowing out your smears on this web site, what have YOU done lately?
Paladin
(28,252 posts)Imagine my total lack of surprise.....
SteveW
(754 posts)Imagine my total lack of surprise.....
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Wrapped in neat packages! 
SteveW
(754 posts)What gets me is that some "animal rightists" do not wish to acknowledge their role in the kill-to-live fact of nature. There are 3 ways to kill-to-live:
1) Kill directly (hunting, non-commercial livestock-raising);
2) Kill by agent (livestock processing and packaging); and
3) Kill by abstraction: Agriculture.
The fact some animal-rightists become enraged that I kill 2 deer/yr. and some birds for myself (and others), but gloss over thousands of square miles given over to agriculture (which extirpates and kills entire populations even in the most light-on-the-land operations), should inform anyone that the argument if over styles of killing and the resulting guilt.
GTurck
(826 posts)the point of my outrage. Hunters are not all of the same stripe and most are conscientious and careful but there are those who simply don't get it and that was what my comment was about. I don't hunt and never will (I'm a 69 year old woman) but that does not mean I don't understand that killing is part of my meat eating. I just want that to be as humane and careful as possible and don't want any animal to be killed simply because they are in someone's scope.
SteveW
(754 posts)So I am not sure if what I said is applicable.
I did read your post upstream, and cannot help but 'get' the point: Which seems to be that hunters don't care if there is an endangered species in the scope, it's just another target. I profoundly disagree with this prejudiced outlook.
Perhaps you were being sarcastic?
Cherchez la Femme
(2,488 posts)I hate the slaughter of wild (or domestic) animals, but even I recognize that there are some hunters that are animal conservationists, who do put thought into pull-the-trigger decisions
--but, it bears repeating, that takes responsibility and thought--
There certainly are those who, having a gun, will grab it and go running after any animal they see or hear in the neighboring environs.
I've seen this many times, first hand, in NNY. Lots of men want their trophies and 'bragging rights', such as they are, bottom line.
It reminds me of an old movie, memory is foggy, but I believe it was the original King Kong, where the 'white man' was searching for this (once CT) beast, saw something like a dinosaur (? maybe something else, as I said, memory is foggy) and first thing they whipped out their guns and *bang bang* tried to shoot it. Woo-hoo, I'm a BIG man!
'Hey! There's an animal! Let's kill it!'
But there are indeed hunters who do think about their actions in a, to them, responsible way.
So I don't think one can say all hunters kill everything in sight, or that all are thoughtful, compassionate environmentalists.
It is my opinion, though, that there seem to be more 'kill everything' types than conservationists -- but at least there are the latter.
Admittedly not much of a defense... but there it is.
SteveW
(754 posts)I do respectfully take issue with your statement:
"It is my opinion, though, that there seem to be more 'kill everything' types than conservationists -- but at least there are the latter."
I have hunted for over 50 years, and the vast majority of folks I have seen in the field are respectful of wildlife, take their limits (if they even get that far), and follow the law. There are a few (and I have seen them as well) who shoot game -- even legal game -- and leave it in the field, or don't follow antler restrictions. They are in the minority, but you wouldn't believe it given the hateful agitprop put out by gun-controllers and anti-hunters:
"Many of these elitists make no secret of their disdain for gun-owners. For instance, [then] Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York recently dismissed those who are opposed to the Empire State's mandatory seat-belt law as 'NRA hunters who drink beer, don't vote, and lie to their wives about where they were all weekend.'"
http://www.guncite.com/journals/gun_control_wtr8512.html
Nice, economical smearing of millions by a political "leader," and designed to re-enforce rigid stereotypes. Over seat belts, of all things. Cuomo, to his credit, later wrote the NRA and personally apologized. He was also wrong about part of his smear: "NRA hunters... don't vote." I'm sure he found that out quite sensibly.
But hunters are "fighting back." And unfortunately, like the 'gun issue,' it is an unnecessary and destructive fight.
Sera_Bellum
(140 posts)in Kentucky. There really isn't much that hunters won't shoot, or trap to kill. They run bills through with little debate having help from the DNR.
SB 119 Wisconsin
SB 226 Wisconsin
These bills jeopardize public safety.
SteveW
(754 posts)the anti-hunting faction.
You need to get over your hateful comments and learn about the very real preservation and conservation efforts taken on by hunters and fishers -- efforts which benefit far more than "game" species; in fact, hunters and fishers do far more to help the environment than all the so-called "animal rightist" organizations and anti-hunters combined.
You need also to read about the successful re-introduction of elk to Kentucky as well.
Sentiment and tears will get you on T.V.; hunters and fishers pay the bills and do the real work. All clear now?
Sera_Bellum
(140 posts)Thanks for your man-splainin' Steve-o.
I reside in an area where the DNC have pushed bills for hunters through with very little oversight for public safety as well as little public debate or input.
Stop being so condescending.
SteveW
(754 posts)I don't mind others joining in, but you should note that the content of #8 was pretty rancid -- unless you are into enabling.
I don't know what you mean by "man-splainin' Steve-o." Is this a sexist term you are using? If so, please explain. If it is, you should be aware that there are prohibitions against that kind of thing in D.U. And that should apply to you.
lector
(95 posts)Here in Panama city Fl. we have more than a few events like this. In North PC called Lynn Haven we continually see stories on the local news how one is up a tree because some one scared them out off the trash-bin. They are spotted all the time even at the Beach.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)I suggest a reading comprehension course.
SteveW
(754 posts)Both Florida and New Jersey have seen great expansion in the number of bears as well; the latter two states have opened a limited hunting season (NJ) or are contemplating such (FL).
SteveW
(754 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)They thrive like oversized raccoons in the fringe suburban environment.
jpak
(41,757 posts)and this idiot probably thought he was a hero for shooting it.
I remember 25 years ago, someone saw a black bear in a small Georgia town.
The next day dozens of yahoos showed up to "keel it"
yup
tabasco
(22,974 posts)The scourge of the Earth.
Peregrine Took
(7,413 posts)RebelOne
(30,947 posts)
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)but I will say it... I see my self as an atheist, however I do think their is something that connects us all, and I do think we will learn more about it in years to come. The more we encroach on nature and kill it to accommodate our own species, we lose something very valuable. We are not separate from this planet, we are a part of it ALL.
It's ironic because when I mention such a thing to the ultra-religious, they try to paint me a a whacko.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Sera_Bellum
(140 posts)Hunters need to sign up for the military. Kill the terra-ists.
There was legislation to kill songbirds in my area. Now, which he-man hunter dude wants to justify that? How many doves (symbol of peace) does one need to kill to get a meal? I mean really.
SteveW
(754 posts)To see if we can pick up some hatefulness.
"Hunters need to sign up for the military. Kill the terra-ists."
wow. no hate in there, right?
"Now, which he-man hunter dude wants to justify [killing songbirds]?"
No real animosity here, right? I mean 'he-man hunter dude' gives you a ticket to ride? BTW, you didn't mention the "songbird." What songbird is that?
The dove as a "symbol of peace" derives that status first from the Christian Bible, and then later in European culture. I don't think every species of dove (esp. in the New World) was nominated for that religious status. It should be noted that mourning dove and white-wing doves (native in my region of the country) are not very vocal, until they are ready to mate (maybe 4X yr.). Lots of 'coo-ing' then. They also have a fretful "grrrr" sound when spatting with other birds over seeds and seating (they are rather aggressive 'dudes'). Otherwise, most of the noise they make is with their squeaky-bearing wings when taking flight. There is an estimated half-a-billion dove in this country, and those populations are closely monitored by parks & wildlife agencies around the country, and the feds (the birds are migratory as well). These agencies (funded by hunting licenses and Pittman/Robertson taxes) do the lion's share of protecting these birds.
I shot 14 this year, and plan on a lovely all-natural feast!
tawadi
(2,110 posts)Just thought that line needed to be emphasized. This thread is way off track.
happyslug
(14,779 posts)Black Bear is a "Threatened" animal in Louianna:
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/states/la.htm
Each States has its own list of endangered and threatened spices. The Federal Government also has a list but that is NOT at issue here.
But Black Bears are also "Threatened" in Mississippi:
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/states/ms.htm
"List of Federally Threatened and Endangered Species by County" in Mississippi
http://www.fws.gov/mississippiES/pdf/SpeciesbyCounty.pdf
EvilAL
(1,437 posts)It doesn't happen that often, but I had a bear showing up every night looking thru my garbage and shit. I called the wardens they came by and told me there wasn't really anything they could do because they couldn't set a trap around here because of kids etc.. I said ok. Next night I blasted the fucker in the gut and let it run off to die. I don't need large wild animals around my kids. I've had to shoot a whitetail buck that was eating apples and was aggressive to my dogs during the rut.. I don't fuck around anymore. wild animals cannot be trusted.
Doremus
(7,261 posts)That statement deserves to hang there all by itself.
Oh, by the way, enjoy your stay at DU.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"wild animals cannot be trusted..."
Neither can civilized humans, it appears...
Skittles
(153,147 posts)happyslug
(14,779 posts)n/t