Up until last year, hunting grizzlies in B.C.was a management tool used. It's still part of the Yukon's management strategy. Originally, the call in B.C. was to end the "trophy hunt". There was still consideration of a meat hunt. But data collected from the compulsory reporting of a grizzly kill showed that only 13% had harvested the meat, as there was no expectations of a hunter to harvest the usable meat of a grizzly bear. It was also a campaign promise of Christie Clark to end the grizzly hunt in the Great Bear Rainforest. As time goes on, if there is to be a limited hunt of grizzlies, it won't be through the "trophy permit" system. I'm sure it would be done requiring the harvest of all usable meat, which I have no issue with at all. I can't say the same for a "rug" hunt.
There is nothing to suggest that hunting reduced the number of fatal grizzly attacks anywhere in Canada, since it is such a rare occurrence, only nineteen fatal grizzly attacks in all of Canada since 1970. Of those fatalities, at least fourteen grizzlies were killed. In the same period of time, there have been thirty fatal black bear attacks in Canada with at least nineteen of those bears killed. Of the grizzly fatalities, three were confirmed as predatory attacks. The remainder included sow/cub encounters, emaciated bear, startling a bear, dressing game, humanized bears i.e. National Parks or vicinity relocated bears, bear on a kill, and one fatality in 1970, was a biologist approaching a sedated bear while attempting to relocate it in Banff Park.
I take Shockey's remarks as strictly emotional and lacking scientific foundation. The Yukon has a grizzly population of approx. 6000 - 7000 grizzlies, spread throughout the entire territory. They have also had the fewest fatalities. They also have an implemented grizzly bear hunt. No evidence of a "plague"
Sadly though, this thread has turned into something other than a factually based discussion. Seems if you are not on the side of the grizzly hunt, then one must be a "leaf licker", "keyboard warrior sipping lattes", "hypocrite", "uneducated", "someone who has done nothing for habitat restoration", "someone who voted for PR representation", "their cheerleader" yada yada yada.
Speaking of not having seen a grizzly in the wild, I would hazard a guess that most critics here haven't either.
How many have actually seen a grizzly in the wild at close range?
How many have been stalked?
How many have had to clean up the mess after a grizzly attack on a human?
How many have had to kill a grizzly?
Nog
Yes, I've seen probably over two dozen grizzlies in the wild, now mind you, have a half dozen were in Butte Inlet area feeding on salmon, the rest were in the back country. The closet other than feeding on salmon bears is about 70 yards. Can't say for sure if I was ever stalked, I doubt it, but I have fly fished many remote high country trout lakes, Barnaby Ridge lakes (East Scarpe, South Fork and Rainy Ridge) Also in that area fished the South Castle River and Beavermines Lake. This area is south west of Pincher Creek AB.Most grizzly sightings I've had were in this area. I might add, this area has had two of the fatal grizzly encounters. I also fished for over a dozen years at a walk in lake called Wall lake, a hike through the Akimina Pass on the west border of Waterton Lakes national Park. Wall Lake is where I had my closest encounter, as a grizzly appeared along the shoreline we were fishing. We were down wind, kept very quiet and gladly, after about five minutes, the bear turned the other direction and walked down the shoreline. Never had to clean up a mess or kill a grizzly, but I will say, on any elk, moose of high country mulie hunt, I was prepared to kill a bear if necessary. I've always known the risk of traveling in bear country and accept it. I have had to shoot a problem black bear however.
This isn't about who is right and who is wrong, it just shouldn't be a call to action because of a very tragic event. Knowing the circumstances of this attack would help, far to early to jump the gun though.