Wardens save bears from fire. AP in the Billings Gazette
Related story (due to the comments that have been). Black bear comes to Bozeman. In fact, the Bozeman paper has about 2 or 3 black bear in town stories every year.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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Ralph,
there is a story in todays Idaho statesman about another black bear captured in the Boise city. Also 12 head of elk were in the city limits on the 12th.
I live 40 miles outside of Boise and I am already seeing elk, pronghorns and deer near the roads on my way to and from work everyday. I didn’t see any until November last year. Jeff I think there were only 5 elk in town, one of which they killed.
There is going to be a lot of wildlife in most towns and cities this winter in Idaho.
I guess Hailey/Ketchum, where the big fire was, is already full of wildlife. I saw a deer and a coyote in just 5 minutes as I drove though about a week ago.
Is there anything being done in the city of Boise to educate the public? With current conditions we are likely to see more wildlife entering the city. The current feeling I’m getting from media reports are that people fear wildlife rather than regarding it with awe and respect. Perhaps with simple education on what to do when encountering wildlife we can limit the senseless casualties to one elk and one bear cub.
I think the people of Boise and most other cities would be totally amazed at the numbers of wildlife that live within the city limits. I drive to work at 3:00 am every morning and go about 15 miles. I see fox, deer, raccoon’s, and coyotes, on a regular basis, and once a pair of bobcats. I am sure that bear and cougar have seen me at different times. What is extremely unusual is for elk and bear to be running around during daylight in this close of proximity to humans.