This is a new one for me. I thought it was illegal to shoot a bear except if it is attacking you and doing damage to your body in Colorado.

he should of been charged because of his neglect a bear is dead coming out of hybernation can you blame it ??money talks sounds like to me (aspenite's) they build their homes in the habitate of the animals
then when the animals come around they say jump and we bend over backwards for them sorry i dont feel sorry for people that build there homes in the forest if you want to enjoy it why not go camping and pitch a tent....my 2cents

I agree Bigracks: If you're going to live with the animals. LIVE with THEM!!!!

I don't necessarily agree that we should suffer predators rummaging around our houses just because we're on their turf. However, it does bug me that if you or I kill a bear out of season, it's poaching. Yet if you have enough money and the bear breaks some branches from your choke cherry tree, you can do what you want.

If you live in Southern California you have to prepare for earthquakes. You have to organize your house accordingly. If you live in Alaska you must prepare for extreme cold. You have to buy the proper clothing. If you live in bear country you should have to prepare for bears. That means you know ahead of time your cherry may get damaged and it might not be a good idea to have one. That means you shouldn't put out dog food because it attracts them. Think of an alternative. We should not be able to be completely ingnorant and then kill bears for our mistakes. In my opinion yes we should live with bears and only kill them in a controlled hunt or in cases of self defense. 9 times out or 10 they are a nuisance because we do something stupid to attract them in the first place.

[ This Message was edited by: rather_be_huntin on 2003-08-07 15:14 ]

Bears here in this part of the country will go right thru your door of your house if they have a mind to do it, regardless of being careful with dog food, etc. Any ideas of a bear proof door for a house??? Come on, lets get real here. If I catch a bruin going thru my house door, he's going to get some lead, I guarantee it!!!

Guess this touched a nerve. Here is some more facts on the case:

DA won’t file charges in black bear shooting

The article states that the change in policy was passed by the legislature this year.

I agree with what the Deputy DA says:

We all hate the killing of a bear that’s unnecessary, but what’s necessary varies from person to person.

Maybe this guy should run for CA govenor.

Anyway, I don't agree with policy that a bear can only be shot if it is posing imminent danger. There are no easy policy answers to bear/human conflict, but I would rather give a person the ability to decide what is threating than wait until it is too late. That isn't to say that I wouldn't support stiffer penalties for folks that have bad habits in bear country though.

Ok, lets get real! If a bear comes through your door I think its safe to say in just about anybodys mind hes crossed that line of nusiance to serious danger. I don't have any problem with someone protecting himself or his family. If a real threat is presented then I say go ahead and plug em without exception. But shooting him because he broke some branches on a cherry tree?!?! Come on, whos lost touch with reality here? Then to further justify it by saying he was coming close due to negligence by putting dog food out?!?! Whats next?

"I had to shoot that ole bear, I saw em jump a fence and he slightly bent one of my fence poles. Then he had the nerve to eat that side of beef that I've had hangin in that tree for a week. Damn nusiance anyway. Don't those idiots know this is private property?"

rather be huntin, I agree with you 100%. I am not out to shoot anything or any bear for that matter, unless he is destroying my property or a real threat. I see bears just about every week here and don't mind them at all. just trying to make a point and my 2 cents worth.

1st. The home owner should be horsewhipped for leaving food out and knowing a bear was present. Period. Stupid Moron.

2nd. A bear that even looks "crosseyed" at momma "Beef Jerky's" little boy is going to be KILLED. I ain't waiting.

I don't give a rip snort if I'm walking in the woods, live in the woods, or just passing through. It better get the h3ll out of my way, cause I belong there too. And I'm the cat with the biggest stick.

If its respectful, I'll be respectful, but I ain't fooling around to find out if "Old Yogi" is a nice bear or not.

Any simpleton that says otherwise is nuts. They'll sing a new tune if "Old Smokey" is knawing on their leg or nuts. Must be "Boulderites!"