Posted on 06/19/2007 10:15:47 PM PDT by george76
The grandfather of a boy killed by a black bear while camping blamed the U.S. Forest Service Tuesday for not getting the word out about an earlier attack.
Before 11-year-old Sam Ives was attacked and killed Sunday night, the same bear had attacked campers in the same spot hours earlier.
Eldon Ives is the boy's grandfather. He told reporters Tuesday that he hoped the Forest Service will do a better job of protecting campers after Sam's death.
He said the violent way his grandson was killed is a sorrow that will never heal.
Sam Ives would have been a 6th grader this fall.
He was camping with his family in American Fork Canyon on Father's Day when a black bear dragged him from their tent and killed him.
George are you in Colorado? We are planning a family camping trip the week of the 4th and will stay near Estes Park. How worried do I need to be?
We had grazing since the 1800’s. Every spring tens of thousands of sheep and cattle would go up in the hills for the summer.
This is all over... these free range cattle are generally gone too. The large feed lot operators must be happy. Who knows what growth hormones and penecillin goes into our food supply now. It will be worse in the future.
The cowboys and herders would resolve any predator problems immediately. Talking with the hands who ran the line camps was fun. There were many great stories told ( some were likely even true ). We were careful if we were near the herds too.
Small towns supported the ag communities. Many government allotments are now vacated. Hunting is under attack and declining. Now, it is like watching a bad movie where the end is obvious.
Sad.
Notice they don’t mention firearms except to chronicle the decline of Old Ephraim, who was sensible enough to protect his sheep with a —gasp—gun. I have talked to more than a few institutional wildlife people and you will never ever get them to admit that a gun is your best bet if you have an encounter that goes the wrong way. Why we could build this country on the armed minuteman and not have the b*lls to tell campers to learn how to use a rifle or a shotgun is beyond me.
Dunno about Colorado, but I see a LOT of black bears in California. A LOT. Almost one every other night where I live.
Rather than we worried, be prepared. That means different things to different people.
When hiking, do not put little kids last. Stay together as a group; this is good to keep kids from getting lost too. There was a lion kid attack a few years ago when the young kid was racing ahead of the family. More likely problems will be too much sun, too little water to drink, or getting lost with no maps. To start : give everyone a loud whistle, a spare long sleve shirt, and a full water bottle.
Camping rules are pretty straight forward. Check in with the host and other campers to hear the latest.
Estes Park is full of elk; they are big and will ( rarely ) chase people. It is also a pretty area with lots of activities and shopping. Bring your camera.
Bears seem to be a bigger problem on the other side of RMNP by Grand Lake. Mountain lions have apparently been the bigger problem all over the front range.
I have not heard of any problem bears in Estes. You might watch the local news site :
I hope that this helps some. Have Fun.
If you read the post I was responding to you might understand my comments...they weren’t directed at the entire discussion, but rather the post I responded to.
Disney and Hanna-Barbera also have a lot to answer for.
I've seen that happen too and also I've seen it happen where something is posted in humor but because of someone's personal experience they don't think it's funny and try to put a damper on it. However, I think the response in question was harsh. It didn't offer any constructive information and it definitely lacked compassion. I think you can do both. I don't know if this family did anything that directly caused this--it could turn out to be just a case of being in the wrong place. Either way, I'm going to show them some compassion whether they ever see this thread or not.
I remember the case of the little boy who was killed by the Mountain Lion. I believe that happened in Rocky Mountain National Park, didn’t it? I also think about Jaryd Atadero from time to time. I know they found the clothes he was wearing several years later, but I don’t believe they ever found his remains.
In Colorado, there have been three recent fatal mountain lion attacks against humans ? There were other attacks but the victims lived ?
One was in Idaho Springs in 1991, another in Rocky Mountain National Park in 1997 and a third in the Comanche Wilderness west of Fort Collins in 1999.
Plus people have lost their pets and livestock too.
Thanks for the link George,my DH will appreciate the weather forcast...now any hints for the fishing hot spots?
It’s hard to believe that attack on the 10 year old happened 10 years ago. Seems like I was only just hearing about that. Where the heck does time go?
Whatever you say....(rolling eyes)
“This bear was in predatory mode,” said Jack Kaskey, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman. “This was classic predatory behavior. The bear was out to eat her. She had to fight for her life.”
Good thing for te bear attack that the gooberment agency PR flack recognized that the victim was exercising an Unalienable Right.
Said goober knew that the court would hold any charge filed against the victim for “molesting a bear” would be subjected to strict and narrow examination.
In case any FReeper thinks I am joking, FloriDUH has laws against “molesting wildlife”, alligators are a sure example.
The state of FloriDUH did have a legal quandry not too long ago when an illegal (a Mexican) was found having sex with his dog. The dog was not considered “wildlife”.
As the two legged animal said of the four legged ‘partner’, “It is my dog”!
Animal rights advocates are out of control, as are the AgencyPersons and lawyers aiding them.
Although as some people have noted, the bears are showing up in people’s back yards as well. So maybe we are just stuck with them.
Recently a Florida mother defended her kids and herself when a gator broke into her home.
She shot ( wounded ) the gator, which then fled away.
The deputy responded by giving her a ticket...for hunting out of season without a proper gator license.
You have a point. This is a tragedy. BUT IF YOU LIVE IN UTAH AND YOU CAMP IN UTAH YOU OUGHT TO KNOW THAT UTAH IS FULL OF BEARS!!! Before Utah was settled, upon exploration the numbers of Black bears and Grizzlies was ENORMOUS! The Family shouldn’t look to blame ANYONE for this. It was a tragedy and that is all.
Black bear “encounters” with humans are not usually good. Black bears have the tendency to EAT humans if given the hunger, and opportunity. Where as Grizzlies will swat claw and maul, but they don’t eat. Essentially, an attach by a Black bear does not have a good survival rate.
Irregardless of the bear species, anyone camping in Utah should ALWAYS adhere to bear camping guidelines. It is hot, spring, and bears are coming out of hibernation and hungry. If you camp you should know this and prepare for it. There would have been nothing more the DWR, Forest Service, Camp ground officiator could have done to prevent such an encounter.
If people are looking to avoid Utah’s wildlife then CAMP IN YOUR LIVING ROOM!
You are misinformed. Utah has ALWAYS BEEN BEAR COUNTRY! Upon first exploration, the numbers of Black and Grizzly bears were phenomenal. It is the trappers, and hunters and poachers that have minimized the bear numbers, coupled with the encroaching urbanization and deforestation by humans.
The number of bear attacks in ALL OF NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA is VERY VERY MINIMAL! The numerous sitings and encounters this spring is just that...IT’S SPRING! Bears hibernating high in the mountains are coming out. They have new cubs and and looking for food, as they migrate down in search of food they are notoriously spotted. Especially because June in the high mountains it’s spring, and further down it’s summer , and the Jones and Marshes are camping. The heat wave we have been having since March is also a factor.
If you live in Utah - EXPECT BEARS! Deal with it!
and btw — POACHING IS A SERIOUS CRIME!!!
He sounds like an animal “enthusiast” as in he’s enthusiastic to KILL THEM!
His information is a little OFF about bears, where they come from, and their habits and nature - especially towards humans.
Bears do not seek out humans for food! Do your own research!
If you have questions about Bears in Colorado or Utah and camping, call the Department of Wildlife resources in that state and ask to speak to an conservation officer regarding species, habitat, habits, precautions, and what to dos’s re bears. Then call the Forest Service and ask to speak with an officer. Ask about camp grounds, sitings, warnings, etc.
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