Bear hunt in Crystal Lakes residential area
Re: “Bow hunt sanctioned to solve bruin problem,” Aug. 23 news story.
I would like to applaud the Crystal Lakes Subdivision residents who have put so much effort into the Bear Aware Program. Not only have they successfully decreased the number of bear break-ins over the past few years, they have been working with Division of Wildlife officials in order to find the most humane way to relocate the bears and prevent injuries to the residents and visitors of the area.
The number of bears in the Crystal Lakes area by far exceeds the capability of the environment to support their safe existence and the safe existence of the residents in the area. Crystal Lakes will be issuing 12 bow-hunting permits, representing the first bear hunt in Colorado history to be allowed in a residential area. The chance of a bear being killed by a bow hunter is 5 percent; however, the chance of the bears regaining their fear of people and leaving the area are far greater.
Thank you to Jim Tiffin, the Bear Aware program, and the Division of Wildlife for finding the optimal way to save the bears in the area as well as protect the residents and visitors of Crystal Lakes.
Julie Sanger, Loveland
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It is surprising that the article concerning human/bear conflicts in Crystal Lakes made no mention of alternative, non-lethal methods to deal with this issue. As with many human/wildlife conflicts, people are quick to suggest the killing of animals before alternative options.
The implementation of a lethal plan is not effective over the long term. Other bears will quickly move into areas from which individuals are removed. This leads to a continued need to kill more bears. You cannot teach animals by killing them. Once they are dead, anything they may have learned from their negative interaction with people is lost.
The best approach is through the education of both people and wildlife. Bears are typically drawn to human settlements by abundant, easily obtained food sources. People should bear-proof their garbage cans, avoid feeding wildlife, never leave pet food outside, and properly clean barbecues.
Aversive techniques can also be used, including the use of pepper spray, rubber bullets, loud noises, and trained dogs. Such methodologies have proven effective in reducing human/bear conflicts in areas where they have been consistently practiced and enforced.
Lauren Nolfo-Clements, Wildlife Scientist, The Humane Society of the United States, Gaithersburg, Md.
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I have heard every excuse under the sun why magnificent animals must be killed. No reason has convinced me that it is necessary.
The Crystal Lakes bears are accused of property damage. Vandalism should not be a capital offense. I read with horror that 12 archers will stalk bears on about 600 acres of the private mountain community. This sounds like a canned hunt.
I strongly oppose a blanket killing plan as a solution to conflicts with wildlife. Has anyone thought of relocation of the bears? Why is killing the first method humans think of to solve problems with animals?
It is the humans, not the bears, who have moved into the others’ territory. Humans who wish to live in such places should be prepared for animal encounters.
Judy Reed, Centennial
GPS fun and games
Re: “Cache or trash? GPS hobby packs issues,” Aug. 21 news story.
Concerning the article on geocaching, it is mentioned that finding natural caches may be a good idea. Too bad The Post didn’t realize that this is already happening, and it is called EarthCaching. At www.earthcache.org, you can find more than 500 EarthCaches already in place in more than 30 countries. An EarthCache listing gives the latitude and longitude and educational notes about a site of geological, environmental or geographical interest.
EarthCaches were started by The Geological Society of America in partnership with the National Park Service as a great educational but benign way of using a GPS receiver to visit wonderful sites without disturbing (or trashing) them. Sites in the Denver area include a place to collect minerals, visits to Dinosaur Ridge and to the School of Mines, and even tours of the building stones of downtown Denver. GPS owners should check it out – it is fun for the whole family.
Christine McLelland, Boulder
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