*****A must show on Mar 20th*****

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Bear and cougar bill scheduled for hearing March 20th.

Proponents of HB 2436 seek to provide critical public safety relief from
dangerous predators.

For Immediate Release
March 6, 2003
Contact: Jerod Broadfoot, Pac/West Communications
503.685.7555

HB 2436, which repeals the statute prohibiting the use of bait to
attract or take black bears and the use of dogs to hunt or pursue black
bears or cougars, is scheduled for a hearing before the House Committee
on Agriculture and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held Thursday
March 20, 2003 at 1:00pm in hearing room “D”.

“In order for the legislature to know and understand the serious threat
bears and cougars pose to human safety everyone must take the day off
work and join us to rally in support of HB 2436,” said Paul Phillips,
president of Pac/West Communications, and consultant for Oregonians for
Responsible Wildlife Management. Pac/West Communications, an issues
management and public relations firm, is the primary consultant for the
Oregonians for Responsible Wildlife Management, the coalition organized
to provide critical public safety relief from dangerous predators.

Individuals are encouraged to visit their legislators before and after
the hearing to encourage them to vote YES on HB 2436. Supporters need
to be at hearing room “D” by 12:30pm in order to obtain a seat and
testify in support of HB 2436.

(more)

Legislators need to hear the following facts from their constituents:

• Public safety problems with bears and cougars “will get nothing
but worse”. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, September 7, 2002)
• The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife receives over 1,600
bear and cougar complaint calls per year, and cannot respond in a timely
manner to all complaints.
• In November of 2002 a five year old boy was nearly attacked by a
cougar in eastern Oregon.
• In 2002, 13 black bears had to be killed because they posed a
serious threat to human safety. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• In a recent statewide poll 69% of voters support the use of dogs
for the hunting of bears and cougars that are a threat to people and
animals. Also 61% of voters support the use of bait for hunting bears
that are a threat to people and animals.
• If HB 2436 is not passed a child will eventually be attacked and
killed by a bear or cougar.

Please use the above information before and after the hearing to call,
email, or fax your State Representative or Senator and show your support
for HB 2436. To find your legislators information please visit
www.leg.state.or.us and click on House or Senate, then Representative
Information or Senator Information.

Our coalition includes (partial list): Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon
Cattlemen’s Association, Oregon State Grange, Oregon Family Farm
Association, Oregonians for Food and Shelter, National Foundation for
Wildlife, Oregon Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild
Sheep, Oregon Guides and Packers Association, Oregon Chapters of the
Safari Club International, Oregon Bear and Cougar Coalition, Oregon
Hunters Association, Oregon Chapter of the United Sportsmen of America,
Western Wildlife Foundation, Oregon Bow Hunters, Oregon United Sporting
Dogs Association, Nosler Bullet Company, Oregon Trappers Association.
####

[ 03-06-2003, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: willametteriveroutlaw ]

[skein]

WRO, I'm not gonna just let this post go unnoticed and unanswered, but I don't really know what to say.

I agree with you, but I don't think we'll convince anyone of the danger until people start getting eaten. Almost doesn't count.

Every year that we've gone to Vancouver Island (a dozen times in 16 years) someone has been attacked by a cougar. Last summer a guy got his entire face ripped almost off by one (200 stitches in his face alone) and he killed it with a folding knife.

But guess what? No hue and cry to reverse the situation. No movement to let hikers carry a gun to protect themselves. Nada.

That's the mentality we're dealing with here. I firmly believe the best bet would be to refuse to let even the damage control officers hunt them with dogs. Let them eat a few $14,000 Llama's and see if the tune doesn't change.

I don't believe our legislators will touch this one with a ten-foot pole. They stand to alienate a large group of voters - and there's nothing in it for them.

Convince me I'm wrong.

Skein

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Your right Skein, But I thought I would toss it out there. It can't hurt to try...

[willametteriveroutlaw]

TTT, Anyone who could make, the support will be needed.

[ 03-09-2003, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: willametteriveroutlaw ]

[Lured In]

WRO...thanks for keeping us up on this. While I agree this is an unlikely win, I read something a little different into this. Is the to repeal the statute prohibiting general hunting of bears and cougars or only to allow bait and dogs for problem animals. The focus here seems to be on 'human safety' issues rather than population control. Specifically I am referrring the supporting comments at the bottom of you announcment. I am uncertain as to what the animal control folks in OR are permitted to do. I know in WA that they are now allowed to use dogs for cougars that are presenting a problem to humans.

If this is the case, I think it is a more likely win and a good step in the right direction.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I am good friends with the lobbist (sp) that is sponsoring this bill and the goal is to push this as a public safety measure. I hope to see some of ya'll there on the 20th.