Calming Canines

Watching big animals such as bears, bison, and wolves is always a treat. Sometimes we forget about taking the time to enjoy smaller, less "glamorous" animals such as coyotes. Watching theses coyotes was calming experience that particular sunny autumn day. The coyote above was pouncing about in the field looking for a snack. The coyote below was contently walking down the middle of the road until too many cars piled up. Then it went up a steep, rocky hill wher it waited for the traffic to disperse.


These are Yellowstone coyotes (big surprise?). I also had the priviledge of seeing 2 wolves from the Oxbow Pack. They are looking a bit fluffy and ready for the colder weather. Wolves are my favorite, but for some reason that day, the coyotes had my heart. They were just a pleasure to watch and think about.

Sure would be great to have telepathy to communicate with animals. Maybe Dr. Spock can help me.

More coyote information:
Desert USA's Coyote Page

More Grizzly-Hunter Encounters

Today's newspaper had "Grizzly bear mauls hunter" in huge type slapped across the top of a page-AGAIN! 2 different incidents were reported. Both parties were sneaking around bow-hunting for elk, both came across grizzly sows with cubs, both were in the Greater Yellowstone area like the below mentioned bears were.

Plenty of other places they can hunt elk with less chance of being attacked by bears. But then again, it is easier for hunters to go right outside the Park where they know the most elk are so they don't have to spend too much time outside weathering the elements in a real hunt. Like catching fish in a barrel. Why not outlaw hunting in areas with the greatest chance of bear encounters for the safely of all? Too much common sense I guess. When is enough really enough?

As I have stated before, I fear that this negative publicity will lead to a premature hunting season on the recently de-listed Yellowstone grizzlies.

And The Heavens Cried

Bad news today. A while ago, I mentioned a grizzly mom and her cubs that ended up missing after a very unpleasant encounter with a hunter near Gardiner, Montana. Finally, the bears have been located. The mother is dead. Her jaw was shot off by the hunter. The 2 orphaned cubs were still roaming around near their dead mother.


First, I thought what a terrible story for both the man and the bears. Later I thought,"Have I gone soft on my anti-hunting views or what? Wake up!"

This hunter was out sneaking around the woods in bear country. Out to kill unsuspecting black bears when he rudely disturbed the grizzly family preparing for winter. Every hunter that I have ever "talked" to about black bear hunting said they do it for fun and sport, not for meat because it is not a good tasting meat at all. He is lucky to be alive. Perhaps he will even brag it up to his hunting buddies about killing the griz mom. "In self defense" my a**. The guy was somewhere he shouldn't be in the first place for no reason other than "sporting fun". The bear tried her best to protect her family from this hunter. She did not try to stalk and intentionally kill him like he was doing to black bears.

So, the sneaking hunter with death on his mind gets mauled in defense. The hunter shoots the bear. The man goes to the hospital and gets patched up, gets to live on a diet of painkillers as he heals up. Warm and comfy in his bed. People feel sorry for him. The attention gives a negative, more fearsome image to bears everywhere. The bear wanders off. Shot and in great pain. Can't eat with a shot off jaw. She must have been starving to death. Can't help her cubs get food either. They are probably a lot hungrier than when mom was doing well. The trail of blood from the bear probably arouses other hungry animals waiting for a chance to get the weakened bear or her cubs, or both. The mom bear finally dies-starving and in pain, knowing her cubs are suffering. A few people like myself mourn the bear's loss and worry about the cubs. The stupidity of sport hunting is truly sickening. I think God cried.

Now the 2 orphaned cubs are left alone in a harsh world with no protection. Bigger grizzlies are awfully hungry this time if year. Will the cubs find a den and enough food for winter? Not to mention the mental stress on the cubs. Animals do feel grief; many documented incidents show this (not that I need to read them to know that but for the skeptics...). I do believe they are cubs-of-the-year (meaning born this year). Say a prayer for this prematurely broken grizzly family.

Good-bye mamma bear; see you on the other side one day.

(Photo: NPS archives 1966, not the newly orphaned cubs)

Great Wolf News!!!

The NRDC's wolf commerial is currently on the air! It will remain on CNN for another week. Thanks to wolf supporters everywhere that sent in to fund this commercial. Also, thanks to those that didn't send money, but support wolves however they are able to. I jumped for joy when I heard this. I whooped and hollered too! Party time is here. Finally, we get our side heard nationally & internationally at this crucial time.

Will it help? I don't know. Money always talks loudest it seems. But I am celebrating the fact that the wolf issue finally gets mass coverage! Media coverage on any environmental issue is critical, in my opinion.