Quote: Isabelle Schmelz

There, now I need to go put away my birkenstocks and brew some herbal tea...

Isabelle

That totally brought a smile to my face!
For you, Isabelle....:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MiD_U4CHQ&feature=related

Thanks for the bedtime song!! I had a good laugh.

Aaron--I certainly did not intend to imply that hunter's are not excellent wildlife stewards; I am very fortunate to count many among my friends (I personally have hunted caribou, ptarmigan and moose). Actually I was referring more to recreational backcountry users who may not be familiar with the area or with wildlife and be given a false sense of security by virtue of the fact they could immediately resort to lethal means. For example, we had a case in Labrador a few years a go where a guiding company shot a Polar Bear that entered a camp. This hunt is strictly regulated, and the Aboriginal community has only 6 licenses a year. If a bear is killed for whatever reason (by anyone), that bear is taken off the total number of licenses available. Camps in Polar bear country need to have 24 hr bear monitors--which means you take shifts watching (with rifle) around the clock. The only other option is to string a solar-powered electric fence with an alarm around your camp so that you can respond quickly. Because this particular group did not do this, the Bear entered the tent and was shot. This could have been avoided through the use of the a bear watch. There was some public outcry at the unnecessary loss of life of the bear and also frustration that one licence would now be removed form the total due to the negligence of another group. The campers were fine!

I appreciate your comment regarding risk perception.

Isabelle