BEAR HUNTING: A solution without a problem

An open letter to Fish and Game personnel:

It has come to my attention that there is a move afoot to require bear hunters to take a mandatory class to confirm that they can discern the difference between a grizzly and a black bear. This after one grizzly was misidentified by Fish and Game personnel, and then shot over a legal bait site by a hunter who immediately reported the shooting of a grizzly, previously identified as a black bear by F&G personnel.

I would think, if common sense prevailed, that first: All F&G personnel would know the difference between a grizzly and a black bear. And second, anyone desiring to purchase a bear tag could be issued a 3-by-5 card pointing out the differences between the two species.

I’m reminded of the untold number of deer and elk (and the occasional moose) killed on Idaho’s highways, and yet there is no move whatsoever to educate Idaho drivers to precautions easily taken to avoid some of these mishaps. PLEASE DO NOT CREATE A PROBLEM (and a solution) WHERE NONE EXISTS.

I would remind you of Amendment 13 of the U.S. Constitution: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the states, the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. This settled law should render null and void the F&G requirement for all hunters to stop at F&G check stations whether they’ve harvested or not, and mandatory classes not directly related to hunting skills.

The burden already rests with hunters to be able to identify a legal bear, elk, deer, moose or mountain lion. The simple 3-by-5 card, issued with purchase of a bear tag, would reinforce that burden.

My advice, as a resident, a hunter, and an advocate of common sense is for Idaho Fish and Game to stop straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel, and let common sense prevail in future decisions and regulations.

RAY GODDARD

Emida