From: james@teal.csn.org (Jim Phillips)
Subject: Re: Colorado Hunters under attack
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 19:56:06 GMT

In article <1993Jan4.203434.24051@ncar.ucar.edu> chuck@sage.cgd.ucar.edu writes:
>In article <1993Jan4.083700.26155@doug.cae.wisc.edu>, ftarnol@nma.mnet.uswest.com (Fred Arnold (303) 896-8084) writes:

>>I have recently heard, second-hand, that the same group that sponsored
>>the spring bear hunt initiative now plans to go after the archery bear
>>hunt.  If we begin now, we have time to organize and plan a campaign
>>to defeat this latest attack on our hunting heritage.  We cannot afford
>>to lose seasons or hunters to campaigns that ban us from the field.
>
>I have not heard this rumor and, in fact, am not aware that there IS an
>archery bear season (not being a hunter, it's certainly possible I just
>never heard about it).  It shouldn't come as any surprise if the sponsors
>try to get some other hunting restrictions passed, so your concern is not
>unfounded.
>

His concern is definately not unfounded...


The following is reprinted without permission from page 10 of the
December 16 issue of the Rocky Mountain News...

-------------


                      Bowhunting of bears under fire.

Animal rights group asks wildlife commission to ban practice in state.


by Deborah Frazier

A national animal rights group has fired another round in its fight against
sport hunting in Colorado.

The Maryland-based Fund for Animals, which wants to stop all sport hunting,
has now asked the Colorado Wildlife Commission to ban bowhunting for black
bears.

The Fund for Animals backed Amendment 10, which bans Colorado's spring bear
hunt and use of bait and dogs in any bear hunts. It said passage of the
amendment proves the commission has ignored the public's wishes.

"It (the commission) must no longer sanction entirely unsporting and unethical
hunting practices," said Wayne Pacelle, the fund's national director. "You
make a mockery of the hunting ethic that demands quick and clean kills."

The group also has a greater goal.

"Our objective is to eliminate sport hunting. We try to take on those hunts
and methods that are most objectionable. As we whittle it down, we convert
non-hunters to anti-hunters," said D.J. Schubert, directory of investigations.

More than 25 studies on bowhunting for deer show the wounding rate is about
50% and the kill rate is 50%, Schubert said. Since bears are larger than deer,
their wound rate would be higher, he said.

"Maybe we can eliminate bowhunting without a referendum. The state wildlife
commission shouldn't promote an activity that is cruel an ineffective,"
said Schubert.

Larry Baker, past chairman of Colorado Bowhunters and past president of United
Sportsmen's Council of Colorado, said bowhunters have to get within 10 to 30
yards of a bear to kill it.

"Bowhunting is a proficient way for hunting bear and other big game animals
in Colorado," he said. "I've taken a bear with a bow and arrow and find it
no different than taking any other big game."

Dennis Bergstad of the Colorado Outfitters and Guides Association said
Bowhunting for bears is difficult because of the close range required.
Fewer bears are shot by archers as a result, he said.

Mike Smith of Coloradans United for Bears, which launched the anti-spring
bear hunt drive, said bowhunting for bears is a less significant ethical issue,
and he is more concerned about hunting mountain lions with dogs and bait.

-- 
 James K. Phillips       Sprocket Scientist     james@pvi.com 
  Precision Visuals, Inc.                       james@teal.csn.org
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