18th Kenai bear killed in defense sets record

The Associated Press

KENAI--Another brown bear on the Kenai Peninsula was killed in defense of life and property last week, bringing the total for the year to 18.

The killings are the highest number of reported shootings in defense of life and property on record, said Jeff Selinger, area manager for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

According to department records, prior to the 2001-02 year, brown bear shootings had never exceeded 10 animals. In 2001-02, the number of brown bear nonhunting mortalities jumped to a record high 14. Last year the number climbed to 15.

Selinger said the reason for the increase is complicated.

"The human population on the peninsula has grown and continues to grow," he said. "With this, recreation into bear country has expanded, which in recent years has led to more bear-human interactions.

"Reports from the public are that they are seeing more bears than in the past, and all of the information I have seen indicates a healthy brown bear population on the peninsula," Selinger said.

Another possible cause of the high rate of shootings may be a decrease in the public's tolerance for bears after maulings in Alaska, Selinger said.

Selinger offered a third possibility: better compliance by people reporting bears shot in defense of life or property.

"We're hearing about them now. It's possible that 20 years ago that wasn't the case, but it's difficult to say."

Selinger said he hopes the recent trend in bear killings does not continue.

"We'd like to see them decrease," he said. "To do that, people need to be more aware of bears, bear behavior and safety practices in bear country."

They talked about this on the news tonight. I hate hearing it. I hope I never have to shoot a bear in DLP but if they would only have a regular harvest season........

[ 10-28-2003, 11:06: Message edited by: JoelS ]

One book anybody that is interisted in bear attacks should read is Bear attacks the Deadly Truth. I forget the aruthors name but he is from BC. It can explain a lot of these DLP shootings.

Eighteen is just the number reported. I lived in an Eskimo village for a year and they were constantly shot as nusiance animals. No one wanted then for the hides or the meat. Maybe the claws, gall blatters and teeth but that was it.