KDFWR Seeking info on dead bears

[Tim_T]

The smokies attack was on a school teacher and happened about five years ago. It is the only person ever killed by a bear in the history of the park which is amazing considering the amount of visitors the park gets and the number of bears.

There was a young girl killed in the Cherokee National Forest last year. The young boy killed in Utah was recent. All that being said, these KY bears appear to be shot for the thrill of it and then dumped elsewhere.

I agree that I would do what I had to do to protect myself and my family, but with the extremely low number of attacks, I don't see the bears as a big threat.

BTW, when they have the first drawing for a KY bear tag, I will be the first in line.

[fishincreek]

That's a bad deal. Too bad we don't know all the facts. The "Dept" is tough to figure out sometimes. Sometimes they ask for help- other times they give ya "we're the experts" so "we know what's best" routine. The folks that live on those hills and hollers remember quite well the guy that asked, actually pleaded for the Dept to rid him of a bear, called the sheriff and other LE to no avail. He finally had had enough and got rid of the bear himself- and got a huge fine in the process. You only get ONE chance to burn a fella from the hills!! Perhaps just another case of SHOOT SHOVEL and SHUT-UP.

[DaveR]

Is it this easy to see bears in the far eastern hills of KY, that someone with a rifle can get several in a few weeks? Off the subject, but I know the Elk project went well and Hunt Guides and Fish and Game are getting an economic boost from it, but I don't see where a huge gain (other than generality of return to natural wildlife state, which I support) would be seen for any species specific management. If the state has forest to support a once inhabited animal then manage them properly to establish population. I don't know if bears are anygood to eat, and its apparent the shooters here weren't intending to eat them.
We got too many coyotes and they let you shoot them anytime. We got too many domestic cats running around, but you might get in trouble for shooting them, cause they might be a neighbors.... where do you draw the line.

[Rangerman]

Dave,

I have not spent a lot of time in eastern KY but a descent amount. Most of it has been elk hunting, informally guiding elk hunters and deer hunting. While I agree not much has come to the local economy from the elk but I think that is due to lack of effect or lack of ideas. I certainly feel like the opportunity is there but few have really taken advantage of it. I have not seen many bears at all (only one) but I do know they are around in the areas I hunt. If you have not made it up to elk country I would suggest you go sometime to have a look see. If you have not seen elk in the wild before I think you will be impressed at the size and beauty of these magnificient animals. I know my first experience was something I will never forget. In a nut shell, drove up the mountain and rolled down the window and was immediately greeted by 5 different bulls bugling like crazy. It will make the hair on the back of you neck stand straight up. All I can say is WOW.

See ya,

Marty