Letter to the editor: DNR records show widespread killing of female bears

Talk about it

In response to the Oct. 2 letter, “Non-hunters don’t understand sport,” apparently a little clarification is necessary regarding my opinions in my letter of Sept. 18, “Don’t glorify bear shooting,” and the facts about bear baiting.

Being born in Minnesota allows me to have an opinion on how I appreciate nature. I’ve been enjoying the North Shore for close to 50 years now, choosing to relocate here 20 years ago.

My letter addressed two issues: the glorification of killing a bear and the nondiscriminatory killing of bears of either sex.

First, I don’t agree with the glorification of the killing of the bear by putting its picture in the paper. Second, Bear baiting isn’t sport, it’s entrapment. Third, If you can’t find one without bait, leave them alone. Fourth, While I realize that it’s legal, I still don’t think it should be and fifth, it’s inhumane to kill mother bears, leaving 8-month-old cubs to fend for themselves and possibly die.

Now let’s look at the facts. Local stores sell bear bait, which includes anything from lard and bacon grease, old bacon, old donuts, reject candy, etc. If they didn’t sell it for bait, it would be in a dumpster. That’s garbage. Second, in 2007, 1,378 female bears were killed and in 2008, 811 females were killed, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It doesn’t really matter who, or where, the killers are from, the fact remains that over 2000 female bears were killed in the last two years.

That is sad.

Elayne Robinson

Finland