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Subscribe to RSSThere's a hunter out there with a $10,000 bull's-eye on his back. That's the reward being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of whoever shot dead a grizzly bear and her cub in northern Idaho.
Grizzlies are on the Endangered Species Act list and thus may not be hunted in the Lower 48. An estimated 40-50 grizzlies live in the region, Jason Holm, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, told msnbc.com, so killing two is a significant number.
It wasn't clear why the grizzlies were shot, given that the carcasses were still there. Officials would not elaborate on whether any body parts were taken.
"We can't reveal details pertinent to the investigation, including specifics on the carcass condition," Holm said.
A black bear hunting season is open in Idaho, raising the possibility that someone mistook the grizzlies, also known as brown bears, for black bears.
While federal and state officials investigate, several private groups stepped up with the reward. Holm said they preferred to remain anonymous.
The two bears appeared to have been dead a few days when found May 18.
The mama grizzly was discovered by a hiker in a clear-cut area on Hall Mountain, east of the Kootenai River valley and northwest of U.S. 95. A subsequent search of the area turned up her dead cub.
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Anyone with tips is encouraged to call: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 509-928-6050; the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-769-1414; or the Idaho Citizens Against Poaching at 1-800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous.
Anyone convicted of killing wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Holm, for his part, hoped that the substantial reward would produce some quick results.
"I trust the shooter is sleeping poorly tonight, knowing his softball teammates, drinking buddies and family members are currently weighing whether they appreciate him or the ability to receive $10,000 anonymously more," he said. "I hope the reward and the truly callous nature of the crime persuade someone to do the right thing."
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I encourage this jerks friends...do the right thing. If you know who did this, turn them in.
If you know and you don't your just as guilty....we have to stop this unneccesary killing :0(
"Officials do NOT know why these bears were killed", yet they are already offering a reward? What is wrong with this picture?
As far as they know, someone shot the bears. That doesnt mean for certain it was self defense and killing grizzlies is illegal. They will arrest this person based on the charges. They could still drop the charges and let the guy go if it was justified. If 1 person was in the same area around the same time where 2 people were just killed, that person would be arrested first and then decided upon later. They do this so if someone actually is the murderer, the said person doesnt get away.
I've lived in North Idaho the majority of my life. Anyone here who can't tell the difference between a grizzly and a black or brown bear shouldn't be allowed to carry a firearm or own a license.
Maybe the shooter thought they were wolves; they're mowing down wolves in the redneck states like crazy because Obama placed a rider on the budget bill, and the rednecks couldn't wait to blast away at wolves.
Betcha the shooter saw something move and thought, "whoopee, here's a chance for me to butcher a keystone specie!" Whoppee.
Wyoming's law is more complicated than "shoot on sight". There are 100% protected areas as well as licenced areas. SOME of the state wolfs are considered predators and may be shot without a license. What really bothers me though is the article claims that a HUNTER has a bulls eye on their back for killing a grizz. This was not the work of a hunter but that of a poacher. BIG difference!!
I agree. Grizzley and black bear are pretty distinct looking. This person was a coward and I doubt it was self defense (maybe killed mama then cub because didn't want it to starve but again highly doubt it). Give it some time, sure word will get out, and someone will come calling. Cowards like this guy usually like to spout off what they did to make themselves feel tougher, supierior, ect. Glad to see a group stepped up to offer a reward. My guess is it was a local hunting club or sporting group that understands the responsiblity that hunters have and respects nature. Yes, anti gun and hunting nuts, those are usually the people who support nature reserves and the like the most. If found and it wasn't truely self defense, I say strip em down to his undies, cover in bacon grease, and drop in the middle of a samon run full of grizzlies. He makes it out then he goes free, if not well you get the idea.
We need to start getting very serious about crimes like this and show that we mean business. The punishments need to be increased further and need to start being more creative about it.
It is time
From the fact that they aren't yet sharing info on the condition of the carcass, along with the large reward, it's pretty clear the evidence at the scene has convinced them this was done purely for sport or greed.
Bears are such beautiful animals. We have a black bear mama with triplets in our neighborhood. We just keep all food inside and give mama wide berth when she and the cubs visit the area. Such a sight to behold.
I bet the family of the guy who got mauled and killed by an Idaho Grizzly last year didn't donate to the reward. I elk hunted Northern Idaho last fall, and I can tell you, if a Wolf or Grizzly threaten, I would have defended myself, and as wild as these species are, chances are if you see one in close quarters, they are potentialy ready to attack you.
This was an illegal act, completed by a poacher. The article incorrectly implies that this was done by a hunter, with a license. Yes, Jerimy, there is a big difference. Shame on the author of the article for writing so recklessly.
I certainly hope, due to the fact that the bears remained where they were shot, that the hunter made a mistake and didn't know they were grizzlies. Although, I have no idea why any person gets a thrill out of shooting any living thing, even a bird! I will never understand hunting. And unless you are killing something for it's meat, i.e. deer jerky etc., than you SHOULD NOT BE KILLING IT AT ALL. PERIOD. As far as I'm concerned all other kills should be illegal. But what do I know.
Hey, that there's a real man with a real gun that goes bang bang. The government should not interfere with the decisions of previously law abiding, or at one time in their lives law abiding, real men with real guns who might also be an NRA member. Sounds like prejudice.
I am a ethical hunter whom consumes what I harvest. I also believe that all species have a place in the wild. However, many times these species conflict with human endeavors. Additionally, all species need to be managed, and we as the ultimate predator with reasoning abilities, are the best to do so.
Unfortunately, extremists exist on both sides - pro wolf/anti wolf (and grizzly). The best thing that can happen and has happened, in Idaho's case, is the responsibility for wolf population has been put back into the hands of the state biologist and the Dept. of Game & Fish. They know what needs to be done to maintain, yet control the species, and that is to hunt, yet conserve as well.
I can tell you, the people (especially the guides) of Northern Idaho loath the Wolf and the Grizzly, rightly so. The wolves are in extreme competition with elk and deer hunters and the lively hood of the guides. Elk and Deer populations have been greatly impacted by the wolf especially. Many elk are taken by wolves before or during berth.
So, all of you "city folk" and anti-hunters need to keep your nose out of things like this you do not understand, and leave it up to the state and the biologists of those states who balance public interests with wildlife interests.
A whole lot of hate going on here. The article is poor reporting as well. Maybe the momma bear attacked the guy (or girl), and they killed the bear in self defense. Maybe the cub attacked and was killed, and then momma bear got excited and had to be killed. Way too many unknowns. I will withhold comment until "the rest of the story" comes out. And, you should to.
Killing a mother grizzly in self defense is one thing, but a cub? They would have not bothered mentioning it, like it mattered. The article implies it was a young cub, and that little guy would be virtually harmless, unless you think a little arm chewing is seriously dangerous. This was a cowardly act.
Jimmy, thanks. Some of my thinking as well.
If we start to act on the writings of this mob mentality from most above, we should be forming a posse right now and going out and killing anyone and everyone who has ever gone hunting, seen someone hunting, ate meat, or been to a zoo.
Stop the non-sense and speculation until the facts are known. I too feel sorry if a bear/s were killed by poachers or just for the so-called sport of it. Thats another thing....hunting is not a sport anyway. A sport is played between two equally matched/armed opponents. Hunting is an event. It is a calculated time to best kill something that is lesser armed or prepared to defend itself. Hunters do serve the best interest of managing certain populations in the wild, but hunters, please do not place yourselves up so high like you are really accomplishing something when you kill a lesser armed defenseless animal. It only makes you look even more Neanderthal.
You got that right. The next thing you know, these great hunters will start calling themselves athletes.
bdjb...whaddaya want the wolves and grizzlies to eat, grass!? What do you eat when YOU get hungry? They are carnivores, and their kill is a natural part of the cycle of life. A man armed with a high powered rifle isn't so much. It's that simple.
Famous idiot... I want fewer wolves and Grizzlies! - Managed by the biologists of the states - not by the Feds and ignorant people like yourself.
I hope they find the killers.
Has anyone checked Ted Nugent's place?
Check with the local sheep herders.
Seems like self defense to me.
If it was self defense and the guy just shot the bears, what's this all bout?
"We can't reveal details pertinent to the investigation, including specifics on the carcass condition," Holm said. "
I'm not so sure it was simply self-defense.
Rdonham ..
Self defense? So who attacked first, the baby or the mother? Really? Who ever is investigating this case will be able to tell if it was self defense or long range, precise shots...I hope they catch who ever did this and punish them to the fullest!
Jannet, I guarantee , you'd take the shot. hypocrite
rdonham: You are incorrect. The majority of women would not kill a mother bear and her cub.
If they were mauling your ass i bet you would shoot till your arm caught on fire !
Danny, most bears are not aggressive. They hear you coming and they go in the other direction. They have excellent hearing, but poor eyesight. They try to avoid people at all costs. It is a shame that so many people are ignorant when it comes to bears. We only have black bears here where I live. Approximately 3 per square mile. In my 17 years they have sometimes been a nuisance, but never dangerous.
Georgia. If you are your kid were being attacked, you'd shoot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America
Georgia, you are correct about Black bears preferring not to contact humans, but grizzly's are an entirely different species without any of that preference. They will attack without provocation, and definitely will attack with a cub. Folks that think the bears can always hear and smell you are, more than likely, dead wrong. That is what most hunters know. There is wind that not only rustles trees and dead leaves, but if anyone or anything is not upwind than the smell is going the opposite direction. So both coming up on each other is highly likely in those situations. I know that for a fact because I have walked up on black bear while deer and elk hunting.
If it was self-defense, why not immediately report it as such? Why leave the carcasses where they fell?? STILL sound like self-defense??
One year in the slam, and $100,000 fine is not enough punishment for this POS. Someone that knows who this dirtbag is, and really needs the 10 grand, step up and do the right thing! This gives all hunters who do it right and legal gun owners a bad name.
If you walk upon a grizzly and its cub, most of these animal loving hypocrites would have taken the shot so they wouldn't get killed
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE animals, all animals. I don't think bears should be hunted, period. Why keep hunting black bears until they go extinct to?
BUT I do agree, that a momma bear with her cub is going to attack anyone that close, as a natural instict to protect her babies, I still am 100% AGAINST killing any and all animals (vegetarian here) but I also could see if it was self defense....
Actually now that I am thinking abuot it, that makes no sense? why shoot the baby cub too?! that probably couldnt do much damage, or be scary, its probably SCARED if anything.... so ignore everything i just said, find the guy and shoot him :)
I wouldnt have shot the cub either... unless it were actually charging at me and big enough to kill me. How about you rdonham?
You shoot the cub because it is the only humane thing to do at that point. The cub will die without its mother
rdonham has most likely never been in the woods let alone anywhere near a bear. They can hear you coming long before you even know they are around and want nothing to do with you. This was so obviously not self defense...this was, in my opinion, some idiot who shot the bears hoping to take the paws, hide, etc and sell them...but got spooked by someone being in the area.....a greedy, coward.....hope they catch him and throw his carcass in jail.
Last words spoken by Timothy(grizzly man) Treadwell. "You're a nice bear, a really nice bear. OOOOOWWWWWWW, run , run, OOOOOWWWWW"
2Wylde is obviously ignorant ans has never heard of a bear attacking people when they get close to their cubs. That never happens in 2wylde's perfect fantasy world.
and yet he was 1000 times more the better human being and man you can even imagine yourself to be
oh and rdon? an honest, ethical hunter who shot a grizzly in self defense would contact authorities at the first opportunity and leave the carcass unmolested, that's not what happened here. Deal with the facts, not theories.
Not really, he was a selfish individual that made up a fictitious cause so he can live with bears. In the end, he killed his girlfriend and the very same bears he claimed to protect.
Treadwell was a selfish POS.
Annonymous12, ah we are not hunting them to extinction, they have a very healthy population in the US.
Leftofcenter, you deal with the facts. The reason the hunter didnt come forward is because of people like you. You have no facts and yet he's guilty.
Daryl. Your'e right , bears never attack people because the can hear and smell people . LOL. Ignorant and stupid. Mom must be proud
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America
rdonham.....I actually spent several years working for the Dept. of Natural Resources in Michigan... I am very well acquainted with bears, their habits, and their behaviours..... I don't live in a fantasy world, I live in the world where human beings kill animals for no reason other than to strip them of the sellable parts...or for the sheer pleasure of killing something..... People like you who immediately find the fault with the animal are no better than the people who live in a Disney fantasy where the animals talk and bears only sing songs in an amusement park.
2wylde thank God you dont work there anymore, its because of people like you that the hunter wont come forward.
You'd be the first to take the shot, hypocrite
rdonham....did you seriously just base your argument on a post in wiki??? LOL.... you win.... how can I possibly argue with your amazing intellect.....
You bet 2wylde, Tell the relatives of the victims of those bear attacks that it really didn't happen because the bear would have smelled there dead relative before the attack......lmao
Fantasyland.
@ rdonham, so should we also shoot kids whose parent were murdered? since it's a humane thing to do and all? stupid is as stupid says
all these macho hunters...hunting defenseless animals ... damn woosies
I think I lost some IQ points from reading these posts...
Natawa, you give animal lover's a bad name. Animals are not people. People like you think Kung Fu Panda is real. Animals dont talk. They dont have human emotions. You do the humane thing and put down suffering animals like Old Yeller. What has society become? The movie idocracy is real.
There are many instances of humans accidently getting between a Bear and her cubs. most do not end well for the humans. Not that this is the case. I think we should wait and see what other information comes out before judging.
Treadwell's last note to himself...should have studied gerbils..
If it was mistaken identy then why shot the cub, This sounds like someone that just wanted to shot a bear
Shows you how much we value human life---you don't see $10,000 rewards for someone that kills another human being--or rarely so. These environmentalists are sick puppies.
Humans are innocent, people suck ... thats why :)
not as sick as all these sniveling religious hypocrites running around pointing fingers at everyone
More2bits, actually, many times they do put up rewards to catch human murderers.
Leftrightcenter, and you say this while pointing your finger? And you point your finger and decide whether one person is better than another? How did you get on the computer, the meds wear off and your keeper fall asleep? Personality and mental disorders are a drag, huh? Well hang in there, brain transplants will be possible someday and I am sure sure you will be at the top of the list to get one.
Someone check to see if the Motor City Idiot was in town lately?
Where in the article did it say that the cub was shot? It said 'A subsequent search of the area turned up her dead cub'. Try reading & understanding what was written before making stupid accusations. As for the shooting of the mother grizzily, it might of been in self defense. They can be very dangerous and protective of their cub.
If your not tagging you should not be bragging. Wonder if she can keep her mouth shut about shooting these two critters.
Or was it similar to South park: They are coming right at me!!!!
Typical media ignorance, these bears were NOT killed by a hunter.
Hunting is legal
Poaching is committed by criminal animal killers who are either too lazy or stupid to hunt legally.
just another outlaw killn stuff, and now they will blame it on the gun not the criminal
Really???? So all Poachers were never Hunters before they went to the dark side????? I think your statement is full of @!$%#e..........
the difference is that poachers don't care about protecting our forests(also part of the source of forest fires) and kill illegally for the black market and hunters only kill as needed and don't waste the kill and pay for what they kill so its legal, hunters also won't intentionally kill protected species and most times will report suspected poachers or poaching in progress as well as people dumping their trash in the forest(also mostly poachers). the hunters try to protect the forests for future generations and the poachers destroy the forests for personal greed and because they think they can get away with it(not on my watch). this info is from many hunters and we all agree poachers are scum.
Could of just been self defense, then shot the cub so it wouldn't die slowly of starvation. Unfortunately the Fish and Wildlife doesn't seem to care if humans are protecting themselves. Look what happened to the guy that shot a bear attacking his wife.
If it was self defense, then why didn't the shooter contact the proper authorities?
Why don't you animal haters just stay off the sites for these stories and go love some precious people on a people story.
We are not animal haters, just stupid people haters
So, you must really hate yourself then, huh?, Sheet for brains!
no. hates you! Oh, wait your not stupid, have to have some brains to be stupid and you have none.
There poachers not hunters
I support the right to arm bears.
IDIOTS!! If it was self defense, then the motherf#$*er would have nothing to hide and would have come forward.
With animal people and how they operate, you are always guilty. I dont blame the guy for not coming forward
BullSheet!
It's not illegal to shoot a bear in self-defense, so this wasn't a self-defense scenario. You wouldn't kill a cub if it was self-defense anyway, there's plenty of places that take in orphan bear cubs. This was done out of pure malice and the perp needs to be prosecuted.
There was another case in Idaho recently, where a guy shot a grizzly in self defence in his backyard and DOJ filed charges against him. He was facing $100,000 fine and a year in jail until our governor wrote a letter on his behalf.
I wouldn't report it either, self defense or not.
Politician's with high moral character are not endangered, they're completely extinct.
Ok, since nobody else is, I will go there: Does anyone know where Ted Nugent was around the time the bears were shot?
Tell us...is being a troll your hobby or your profession?
Seems like 2wlylde has trolling down pretty well
Did I hurt your feelings? Teddy can take care of himself and doesn't need your help.
No rdonham...I don't troll.... its posters like you who just set themselves up for comments...
normalperson.....lol...hardly....your comment was simply asinine and I figured you must be trolling to post it...... have a wonderful day.
2Wylde4U,
I can see your are confused. Maybe if you try posting your own original entry instead of "trolling" other comments to submit your own "brilliant" retort you would better understand why you are considered to be such an idiot. Or perhaps if you tried getting a sense of humor you wouldn't be so burdened with your own percieved perfection. Thanks by the way, I am having a great day.
Ignorance is bliss, so all your days are good.
All days are good as I can always count on someone like you spewing a little hate so you can feel better about yourself. Since you have made yourself smile, my day is better.
rdonham - Animals are not people however, people ARE classified as animals. And it's human animals like you that give the human race a bad rep. Waaaay too many inbreds like you on the planet. I bet you abused animals as a child and probably still do.
If no body parts were taken, then it's a 99% possibility that shooting was a mistake. Some people are color blind and in the case of bears, unless you really know the species, confronting the animal, shoot first and ask questions later is probably what happened.
So why did this POS kill the cub too?! You're a MORON!!
If no body parts were taken its highly probable that the poacher was scared off his kill before he could get what he wanted. Color blind? really? Have you ever seen a real, live, bear or do you base your statements on the Disney movies you watched?
in 2Wyldes world (disneyland) , bears hear and smell people coming so you cant get attacked.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America
Tfear ,your the moron. If the mother was killed it would be cruel to leave the cub to starve.
It wasn't a mistake, because black bear season is in the fall, not the spring. Also, there's a huge difference between a grizzly and a black bear that has nothing to do with color, size for example.
Ooops, I was wrong, in Idaho they do have a black bear season starting in May, but only for controlled hunts, and the hunters are not allowed to take a female bear with cubs ever.
NOT A HUNTER! A true sportsman or hunter would never do this or would report an accidental or self defense shooting. Whoever did this is a criminal and a real POS!
If it was an attack or mistaken identity the shooter may have been afraid to come forward for fear the "animal people" would not believe him/her and be in deep dodo regardless.
Excuse me, self defense, I don't bite that, when you are in the wild you are exposed to wild animals, I'm sorry but I think this HUNTING crap a real Bull@!$%#, I don't get it , kill animals just for FUN... c'mon its inhumane to chase a poor animal and just shoot it, this is the 21st century come in live in it, if you want to shoot something I can recommend the Xbox, Nintendo or Wii....... whoever did this should be caught and charge for ths atrocity.
GIVE ME THE REWARD! It was Cheney.....he mistook the bear for a lawyer and he thought the cub was the lawyer's assistant.
It was probably Three Chord Ted Nugent and the Retardicans that did it. He murdered another bear in Alaska. He probably did this one too. Look at the obvious first.
Wish he had grown up hunting libbytards. World would be a better place.