Your HELP is NEED ASAP!

[Tapper]

If you're going to consider the issue, then an accurate portrayal is appropriate.

The State of Alaska did not permit hunting on the sanctuary. They allowed hunting on private property, which in some cases, borders the sanctuary. The argument made, is that bears currently living on the sanctuary sometimes wander off into unprotected lands, and might be shot.

The changes were made at the behest of the property owners, who believe that they should be permitted to earn a living off their lands (in the form of guide fees) that Alaskans in other parts of the state do.

Legally, a bear is a bear is a bear. The law establishing the sanctuary, makes it illegal to hunt within the sanctuary - it does not create a new class of bear, by virtue of their having posed for pictures, become more accustomed to man (which in fact makes them supremely dangerous), or being beloved by tourists.

Thus, the issue is one of property rights, not hunting.

Consider. You are a rancher, raising beef. You need to sell/butcher your beef, in order to pay your mortgage, feed your children, pay your electric bill.

A Hindu temple is then built on the property next door. Within their property, no cow may be molested or killed, as a part of their religious belief and practices.

They sue to prevent you from selling or slaughtering your beef, on the grounds that one of their cows, whom they hold sacred, might wander onto your property and be killed.

I'm sure the Hindus could make a passionate argument in favor of protecting their cows. I'm equally sure, the rancher could make a passionate argument in favor of his right to raise cows for food on his private property.

The cows have no rights, they're not people. They're cows.

Rationally, it's clear that one person's rights end where another's begins. The Hindus have an obligation to respect the property rights of the ranchers. If they don't want their cows to be butchered and eaten, then they shouldn't allow them to go onto the farmers property, and whatever costs are necessary to prevent that, are the obligation of the owners of the temple - not the rancher.

The rancher has a right to raise cows. The Hindus have a right to worship cows. The Alaskans have a right to permit hunting on their property.

As a photographer, you have no rights at all, simply by virtue of travelling to another state, and taking a picture of a local bear. And thus, it might be wise to let the Alaskans take care of their own business. They understand the issues, and have to live with the consequences of their decision. You don't. You're a tourist.

Personally, I have no opinion in the matter. I'm neither for nor against hunting. Alaskans make their living by having a wilderness, and they are protective of it. More power to them. They'll figure out the right thing to do. Texans could take a lesson from them. We crap on our lands as a matter of course. We're in no position to criticize Alaskans. We'd do better trying to follow their example instead. At least they still have bears.

[Wes]

Originally Posted by bburton

"Hunting," as a topic, like "abortion," like the "war in Iraq," and many other topics tends to polarize people into two separate, highly antagonistic camps with little common ground for discussion.

Thus, it's too easy for feelings to be hurt, for offended people to leave the forum, and for the overall objectives of the TPF to be compromised. Therefore, discussions of this kind are forbidden for the overall good of the Forum. The original poster recognized the latent danger of his post. I believe Abel is AGAIN simply reminding subsequent posters of the negative tendencies of such "political" (highly controversial) discussions.

I guess that my interpretation of "political" was too literal. What we're really trying to avoid is anything controversial. Much clearer now. Thanks.

[Jay Henley]

Chris,

Just got a letter from The Alaska Wildlife Alliance. It is saying that the Alaska Board of Game cancelled this years hunt and voted not to revisit the issue for ten years. Good news for the bears. I guess all the letters sent in helped out.

[Breezy]

Some how missed this the first time around
glad to hear they are holding off