Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Black bear killed at Redfish Lake

Animal was a repeat offender

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By KATHERINE WUTZ
Express Staff Writer

A black bear was killed near Redfish Lake Lodge south of Stanley as part of a control action by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Saturday.

The adult black bear was "habituated and food-conditioned," according to Jim Lukens, regional supervisor for Fish and Game's Salmon Region.

Lukens said the bear had taken a swipe at a tent and bluff-charged a customer at the lodge before a Fish and Game officer could be called to the scene.

Though the bear had run into the woods before conservation officer Merritt Horsman arrived, Lukens said the officer was able to walk right up to the animal and shoot it.

"It showed no fear of him," said Lukens.

The bear was identified by a green ear tag, which means the bear had been captured for similar issues before. Lukens said that bears are given "two strikes" before they are killed.

According to Julie Thomas, spokesperson for the Forest Service, bears have a harder time finding food naturally as the mountains dry out in late summer. As a result, they sometimes wander into campsites to scavenge.

Thomas urged campers and recreationists to carefully dispose of trash and take other precautions to reduce the likelihood of bears taking advantage of the opportunity for an easy meal.

Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com

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