Comments for Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com Natural history, environmental education, nature writing and photography Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:48:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Hibernating Bears and Living with Predators, Redux by Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/20/hibernating-bears-and-living-with-predators-redux/#comment-550 Withywindle Nature Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:48:03 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1364#comment-550 Very interesting timing - you and I seem to be on a similar wavelength! As I said in my reply to Jennifer's post, I'm pro-bear hunting for several reasons, but in addition to being sure that it's done ethically, I think public education about our bigger wild animals - coyotes, fishers and bear especially - needs to go hand-in-hand with whatever regulations states and counties put into place. Here in MA, our state fish and wildlife agency (<a href="http://masswildlife.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mass Wildlife</a>) does a really good job with education - I just don't know how many people they're able to reach. I think that's a challenge for all outdoor/environmental educators. Hence why I changed the focus of my blog last year to supplement my educational programs! Very interesting timing – you and I seem to be on a similar wavelength! As I said in my reply to Jennifer’s post, I’m pro-bear hunting for several reasons, but in addition to being sure that it’s done ethically, I think public education about our bigger wild animals – coyotes, fishers and bear especially – needs to go hand-in-hand with whatever regulations states and counties put into place. Here in MA, our state fish and wildlife agency (Mass Wildlife) does a really good job with education – I just don’t know how many people they’re able to reach. I think that’s a challenge for all outdoor/environmental educators. Hence why I changed the focus of my blog last year to supplement my educational programs!

]]> Comment on Hibernating Bears and Living with Predators, Redux by Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/20/hibernating-bears-and-living-with-predators-redux/#comment-549 Withywindle Nature Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:42:27 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1364#comment-549 Jennifer, Maine does have bear hunting seasons, as does New Hampshire, MA and VT. I was talking with a hunter friend of mine, and he said bear hunting without dogs is really difficult, due to their large home range. Using dogs doesn't harm the bears I was glad to hear, at least not physically. The dogs are radio-collared, and when they pick up a bear's scent, the chase the bear up a tree and then the owner can locate the dogs and bear through the radio collars. My friend says Vermont allows bear hunting with dogs, but MA doesn't. I don't know about NH and ME. Weighing the risks of having bears in and near suburban and urban areas is going to become more and more necessary, as the bear populations in New England continue to grow. I guess my feeling is that I'm pro-bear hunting, as long as it's done ethically. Jennifer, Maine does have bear hunting seasons, as does New Hampshire, MA and VT. I was talking with a hunter friend of mine, and he said bear hunting without dogs is really difficult, due to their large home range. Using dogs doesn’t harm the bears I was glad to hear, at least not physically. The dogs are radio-collared, and when they pick up a bear’s scent, the chase the bear up a tree and then the owner can locate the dogs and bear through the radio collars. My friend says Vermont allows bear hunting with dogs, but MA doesn’t. I don’t know about NH and ME.

Weighing the risks of having bears in and near suburban and urban areas is going to become more and more necessary, as the bear populations in New England continue to grow. I guess my feeling is that I’m pro-bear hunting, as long as it’s done ethically.

]]> Comment on Hibernating Bears and Living with Predators, Redux by Michelle http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/20/hibernating-bears-and-living-with-predators-redux/#comment-534 Michelle Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:12:18 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1364#comment-534 This is an interesting post because I had just received an answer to an e-mail I sent after watching a black bear cave cam at Bears.Org about this very question...Many people are very afraid and I think it would be a problem for bears and humans as we don't even like fox or coyote in our neighborhoods, but bears are becoming more common. On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:31 AM, ramblingwoods wrote: I live outside of Buffalo NY in western NY state. We have had young male black bears who moved through the town twice in the last 3 years. I am part suburban and part rural. The first male was seen at a bird feeder and them moved to the woods across the pond from us. The police called out a swap team to shoot the poor animal. I was furious and called the DEC to talk to their so-called bear expert and he said it is too dangerous to tranquilize them and move them back downstate so it is kinder to shoot them. There was a public outcry and the next time a young male was passing through they told people to stay away and let it makes it's way north on it's own... I think this sounds more reasoned than shooting it, but I also see that tranquilizing it can be a problem....Michelle.. Hi Michelle, Kudos to the public! Sounds like they put enough pressure on the DEC for them to chose a different tactic the second time around. I'm assuming the second bear made it out of the area on its own. Generally the young males are just moving through. They don't pose any serious danger. The most important thing is for people to stay away -- give the bear plenty of space so it isn't stressed. If treed, they may come down and slip away under the cover of darkness when they feel safer. Sincerely, Sue Mansfield -- Sue Mansfield Wildlife Research Institute Ely, Minnesota Bear Den Cam This is an interesting post because I had just received an answer to an e-mail I sent after watching a black bear cave cam at Bears.Org about this very question…Many people are very afraid and I think it would be a problem for bears and humans as we don’t even like fox or coyote in our neighborhoods, but bears are becoming more common.

On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:31 AM, ramblingwoods wrote:

I live outside of Buffalo NY in western NY state. We have had young male black bears who moved through the town twice in the last 3 years. I am part suburban and part rural. The first male was seen at a bird feeder and them moved to the woods across the pond from us. The police called out a swap team to shoot the poor animal. I was furious and called the DEC to talk to their so-called bear expert and he said it is too dangerous to tranquilize them and move them back downstate so it is kinder to shoot them.

There was a public outcry and the next time a young male was passing through they told people to stay away and let it makes it’s way north on it’s own…

I think this sounds more reasoned than shooting it, but I also see that tranquilizing it can be a problem….Michelle..

Hi Michelle,

Kudos to the public! Sounds like they put enough pressure on the DEC for them to chose a different tactic the second time around. I’m assuming the second bear made it out of the area on its own.

Generally the young males are just moving through. They don’t pose any serious danger. The most important thing is for people to stay away — give the bear plenty of space so it isn’t stressed. If treed, they may come down and slip away under the cover of darkness when they feel safer.

Sincerely,

Sue Mansfield

–
Sue Mansfield
Wildlife Research Institute
Ely, Minnesota
Bear Den Cam

]]> Comment on Hibernating Bears and Living with Predators, Redux by another jennifer http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/20/hibernating-bears-and-living-with-predators-redux/#comment-532 another jennifer Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:59:28 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1364#comment-532 You pose a good question. I don't particularly feel comfortable living with a bear in my backyard. Of course, I live in a busy downtown area, so I'd like to think I'm avoiding bears here. That said, a black bear was spotted not too far from my town in a neighborhood (that I can walk to). I believe there is black bear hunting here in Maine, though not close to where I live. There's so much of our state that is still wilderness. I'd hate to hear of a "bear season" unless it was absolutely necessary. You pose a good question. I don’t particularly feel comfortable living with a bear in my backyard. Of course, I live in a busy downtown area, so I’d like to think I’m avoiding bears here. That said, a black bear was spotted not too far from my town in a neighborhood (that I can walk to). I believe there is black bear hunting here in Maine, though not close to where I live. There’s so much of our state that is still wilderness. I’d hate to hear of a “bear season” unless it was absolutely necessary.

]]> Comment on Bears and the Hibernation Myth or, What Bears Really Do in the Woods by Hibernating Bears and Living with Predators Redux | Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com/2011/12/12/bears-and-the-hibernation-myth-or-what-bears-really-do-in-the-woods/#comment-524 Hibernating Bears and Living with Predators Redux | Withywindle Nature Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:16:36 +0000 http://withywindlenatureprograms.com/?p=533#comment-524 [...] appears that I – and my handy-dandy mammalogy textbook – were wrong on the bears-not-hibernating front.  According to a fabulous bear resource I found today: www.bear.org (appropriately enough), bears [...] [...] appears that I – and my handy-dandy mammalogy textbook – were wrong on the bears-not-hibernating front.  According to a fabulous bear resource I found today: http://www.bear.org (appropriately enough), bears [...]

]]> Comment on Living With Predators by (Little) Red Writing Hood Didn’t Lie… They Just Got Her Story Wrong | Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/01/19/living-with-predators/#comment-522 (Little) Red Writing Hood Didn’t Lie… They Just Got Her Story Wrong | Withywindle Nature Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:26:03 +0000 http://withywindlenatureprograms.com/?p=892#comment-522 [...] for a living. Ranchers out west have legitimate concerns about wolves and other predators, but there are solutions. And wolves are far from the only problem ranchers face - they’re just the easiest to [...] [...] for a living. Ranchers out west have legitimate concerns about wolves and other predators, but there are solutions. And wolves are far from the only problem ranchers face - they’re just the easiest to [...]

]]> Comment on Writing Educational Articles from the First Person Perspective by Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/16/writing-educational-articles-from-the-first-person-perspective/#comment-496 Withywindle Nature Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:41:28 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1296#comment-496 Thanks Michelle! I know I'm still working on finding my voice, and I'm sure that my posts will continue to evolve over time, but it helps to hear what people enjoy reading as I continue refining my work. Thanks Michelle! I know I’m still working on finding my voice, and I’m sure that my posts will continue to evolve over time, but it helps to hear what people enjoy reading as I continue refining my work.

]]> Comment on Writing Educational Articles from the First Person Perspective by Michelle http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/16/writing-educational-articles-from-the-first-person-perspective/#comment-495 Michelle Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:50:02 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1296#comment-495 I guess I like the first person, but you have to find what works best for the info you are providing...but since you are a naturalist presenting the natural world, you can use your own info in your own way..I think you do a wonderful job as an educator...Michelle I guess I like the first person, but you have to find what works best for the info you are providing…but since you are a naturalist presenting the natural world, you can use your own info in your own way..I think you do a wonderful job as an educator…Michelle

]]> Comment on Writing Educational Articles from the First Person Perspective by Withywindle Nature http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/16/writing-educational-articles-from-the-first-person-perspective/#comment-461 Withywindle Nature Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:58:58 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1296#comment-461 Thanks Jennifer! And I agree - I definitely feel more connected to the writer when they use the first person perspective. Thanks Jennifer! And I agree – I definitely feel more connected to the writer when they use the first person perspective.

]]> Comment on Writing Educational Articles from the First Person Perspective by another jennifer http://www.withywindlenature.com/2012/02/16/writing-educational-articles-from-the-first-person-perspective/#comment-448 another jennifer Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:26:23 +0000 http://www.withywindlenature.com/?p=1296#comment-448 I really like the first person perspective. I think it makes me feel more connected to the writer. I appreciate hearing your opinions on the more educational articles because they are usually subjects I am not particularly knowledgeable on. I learn a lot from you blog that way! I really like the first person perspective. I think it makes me feel more connected to the writer. I appreciate hearing your opinions on the more educational articles because they are usually subjects I am not particularly knowledgeable on. I learn a lot from you blog that way!

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