Probably so but from my perspective I think a few more questions should be considered and addressed from a scientific perspective and not one based in emotions or the widespread desire to protect all animals regardless and in particular predators. Let’s examine some statements and, if nothing else, raise a few questions.

Authorities say they believe this is the first ever reported or confirmed case of rabies in a black bear in Virginia. I have no reason to doubt that assumption. Authorities warned people to “only become alarmed if the bears exhibit highly unusual behavior.” While good advice, bears and other animals can be rabid and not be displaying the obvious and unusual behavior this bear did. Officials should bring that point up.

We also read this statement:

But authorities doubt there are any more rabid bears out there.

And why not? Is their doubt based on current knowledge of what’s going on or are they relying strictly on any notion that there has never been another known case? Consider more statements.

Just to have one is really unusual, and it would be, I think, near impossible for another bear to have it.

In past history, this may be true. But, what if conditions have changed on the ground? What if some things that “naturally” may have overwhelmingly reduced any chances of a bear contracting rabies and the odds of that bear passing it on, have changed to increase those odds?

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries states, according to the article:

The most likely way for a bear to get rabies is, just as for a human, a bite from some other animal that’s already infected.

Logic would tell us that if the bear contracted rabies by being bitten by another rabid animal (VDGIF tells us that raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes and the leading culprits) that if those animals that normally contract rabies grew in numbers, the odds of the bear contracting rabies would increase.

Another statement by a VDGIF officials:

Bears are solitary most of the time, so they aren’t likely to transmit rabies to one another.

What if that “most of the time” got reduced to “some of the time” because of certain conditions, i.e. more bears, more coyotes, more racoons, etc.?

Officials, in attempting to explain away the event and downplay it, using information they received immediately from the dead bear, concluded, “It’s really unlikely that she [the female bear] was around any other bears.” I revert back to my previous claim that that level of unlikelihood diminishes with an increase in bear population. The conclusion appears to be based on their supposition that the bear was alone and that bears are usually alone, that the bear did not have cubs and that Virginia is not in the middle of breeding season. Are officials also not considering that there may be more rabies in other species? Authorities claim no increase in reported cases of rabies in other animals, but that doesn’t always tell the real story.

There’s certainly no need to cause some kind of panic here about rabid bears running out of the woods to kill people, but there are some facts people should consider, including fish and wildlife officials. Predator protection has become vogue in this country and worldwide. With this predator protection, populations of predators such as bears, coyotes, wolves, foxes, etc. increase. With an increased population the odds go up considerably for the spread of infectious diseases, including rabies, simply because the odds increase that these animals will run into each other more often.

Consider also that rabid animals’ behavior changes and they think nothing of attacking something for seemingly no reason; the bear attacking the two men are an example. A rabid coyote would think nothing of attacking a bear and spreading rabies. Odds may be slim but under the right circumstances, those odds can be significantly reduced.

In addition to the predator protection efforts by groups and individuals, people post their land and don’t want anyone on their property hunting and trapping. This causes increased populations of animals that will carry rabies.

Reduced numbers of hunters and trappers overall, combined with efforts from anti-hunting and animal rights organizations, adds to the increase in the numbers of all game species, often to unhealthy levels.

Each state’s fish and wildlife department, if they are doing their jobs thoroughly, will have a good handle on the conditions on the ground; that is if they ever get out of the office and in the field. If I were at VDGIF, I wouldn’t be spending so much time telling the citizens how rare it is for a bear to contract rabies. I would be considering that being that it is so rare, what’s going on that it happened?

Tom Remington

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials confirmed the news to RMEF, the project’s leading financial contributor with a pledge of $300,000. RMEF leaders say they will now step up local fundraising efforts to ensure the project, once started, continues to move forward and remains on schedule.

RMEF has received numerous donations for the project, including several large gifts from Virginia donors. Still, about half of the pledged amount needs to be raised.

Plans call for relocating up to 75 elk from Kentucky to Buchanan County, Va., with an elk management area to include Dickenson and Wise counties. Biologists are hoping for a sustainable elk population that will offer recreational opportunities such as elk viewing in the short term and a limited hunting season within four or five years.

David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, said, “Elk have been trapped and are now being held in Kentucky for a required quarantine period. The animals will be monitored and tested repeatedly to assure good health. Later, they will be moved to southwest Virginia and held for a second period to allow them to adapt to their new surroundings, and then released in May.”

“We are excited about bringing elk home to Virginia,” said Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Director Bob Duncan. “And we’re excited about the opportunity to partner with RMEF – a leader in wildlife habitat conservation. RMEF’s support of our agency and our elk restoration project, not only monetarily but through technical assistance and support from RMEF members and chapters throughout Virginia, has been overwhelming. This partnership is beneficial not only to the restoration of elk in southwest Virginia but also to other wildlife species and programs in the area.”

RMEF invested more than $28,000 in 1996 for an initial elk restoration feasibility study in Virginia. Wildlife agency commissioners in 2010 voted unanimously to move forward with the project.

Kentucky’s elk herd, the largest herd east of the Rockies, was restored with financial and technical support from RMEF in the 1990s. That herd now numbers more than 10,000 animals, is a major tourism draw, offers ever-increasing hunting opportunities and is now serving as a source herd for restoration efforts in other states.

To be a part of this historic conservation effort in Virginia, join and support RMEF. Visit www.rmef.org and click “Attend an Event” to find fundraisers planned across the state. For additional information, call 800-CALL ELK or contact Chris Croy, RMEF regional director for Virginia, at 704-551-6223 or ccroy@rmef.org.

(Columbus, OH) – Sportsmen should thank Committee members for voting to stop a bill that would have allowed for the unlimited killing of deer, elk and bear.

Senate Bill 868, introduced by Senator Richard Stuart (R- Montross), would have required the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to issue agricultural damage kill permits to any person claiming that deer, elk, or bear were causing agricultural damage without first investigating if any damage actually occurred.

“This bill was pushing through at a break-neck pace and would have had a devastating effect on the state’s deer, elk, and bear populations,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs. “Sportsmen should thank members of the House Committee for putting the breaks on this bill and for protecting professional management of the state’s deer, elk, and bear populations.”

Today the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee voted to table the bill, which likely will kill the bill for the remainder of the year.

Current law requires the Department to investigate claims of agricultural damage before damage permits can be issued. Only after finding the damage was actually caused by a deer or bear can the Department allow the removal of the problem deer and bear. Additionally, in current law only deer and bear are subject to damage permits. This bill would have also allowed the state’s limited elk population to be included in the damage permits.

A coalition of sportsmen’s and conservation organizations including the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance along with the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Safari Club International, Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many others all pushed to stop the bill.

Both states recently approved elk restoration plans and RMEF pledged $300,000 each.

“We’re proud to step forward and put money ‘on the ground’ for these projects. No doubt, our great volunteers, members and supporters will continue to raise additional funds for both states,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Restoring elk back into Missouri and Virginia is going to be a tremendous legacy in conservation.”

In Missouri, RMEF invested over $61,000 to help fund an initial elk restoration study in 2000. A restoration plan was finally approved in October. The restoration zone is a 346-square-mile area spanning parts of Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties. The area was selected because of suitable habitat, extensive public lands, low road density, minimal agricultural activity and landowner support. Up to 150 elk will be relocated to Missouri from Kentucky, an undertaking expected to begin within a few weeks.

“We are very grateful to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for its long-standing support of elk restoration in Missouri,” said Missouri Department of Conservation Director Bob Ziehmer. “Now that we are ready to move forward, RMEF has wasted no time putting resources behind the effort.”

In Virginia, RMEF invested more than $28,000 for an initial elk restoration feasibility study in 1996. RMEF volunteers were thrilled when the board of directors of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in August voted unanimously to relocate elk into Buchanan County, with an elk management area to include Dickenson and Wise counties. Plans call for relocating 75 elk from Kentucky to Buchanan County beginning as early as 2012. Biologists are hoping for a sustainable elk population that will offer wildlife recreational opportunities such as elk viewing in the short term and a limited hunting season within four or five years.

“We are excited about the elk restoration project in Virginia and the opportunity to partner with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – an organization recognized as a leader in wildlife habitat conservation in the country,” said Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Director Bob Duncan. “RMEF’s support of our agency and our elk restoration project, not only monetarily but through the many RMEF members and chapters throughout Virginia, has been overwhelming. The benefits of such a partnership are long term and beneficial to not only the restoration of elk in southwest Virginia but to other wildlife species and programs in the area.”

Kentucky’s elk herd, which is the largest herd east of the Rocky Mountains, was restored with financial and technical support from RMEF in the 1990s. That herd now numbers more than 10,000 animals, is a major tourism draw, offers ever-increasing hunting opportunities and is now serving as a source herd for restoration efforts in other states.

The state’s restoration plan calls for relocating 75 elk into Buchanan County in southwest Virginia. Releases could begin by 2012. Biologists are hoping for a sustainable elk population and a limited elk-hunting season within four years. County officials are expecting significant economic and tourism benefits similar to those in neighboring Kentucky, which launched its own restoration program over a decade ago and now boasts the largest elk herd east of the Rockies.

At an agency meeting on Aug. 17, RMEF volunteers and staff spoke passionately in favor of elk restoration, although several other organizations were opposed. The board voted unanimously to restore elk into Buchanan County, which strongly supported the concept.

“Hats off to the citizens of Virginia, and especially those of Buchanan County, who understand there is no higher calling in conservation than restoring a native game species to sustainable, hunt-able, balanced populations. For everyone who doesn’t understand it today, I believe you’ll be convinced over time that this was the right decision, the right thing to do, the right way to go about it,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

To be a part of this historic conservation effort in Virginia, join and support RMEF. Visit www.rmef.org and click “Attend an Event” to find fundraisers planned across the state. For additional information, call 800-CALL ELK or contact Chris Croy, RMEF regional director for Virginia, at 704-551-6223 or ccroy@rmef.org.

“There is no higher calling in conservation than restoring a native game species to sustainable, hunt-able, balanced populations,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “When the citizens of Wisconsin, Kentucky and Tennessee decided to bring elk back to those parts of their former range, we were there to help, and those successes are among the most rewarding and popular accomplishments in our organization’s history.”

Allen encouraged Virginians to get involved in the process. The public can comment on the agency’s proposals at a series of meetings and online by Aug. 1, 2010.

Learn more about elk restoration and management alternatives in Virginia at the URL/link below:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/elk/management-plan/

Meeting details:
Russell County: June 24, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Russell County Government Center, 137 Highlands Dr., Lebanon, Va.
Wise County: June 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Wise County Courthouse, 206 E. Main St., Wise, Va.
Dickenson County: June 30, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Ralph Stanley Museum, Community Room, Main St., Clintwood, Va.
Buchanan County: July 1, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Appalachian School of Law, Booth Center, 1169 Edgewater Dr., Grundy, Va.
Lee County: July 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Lee County High School, auditorium, Clyde Pearson Rd., Jonesville, Va.

Submit comments online at the URL/link below:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/elk/management-plan/comment/

The debate was concluded by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D). “As a final comment, let me just say this. I’ve really never been afraid for my life at the Red Lobster,” she said.

Gee, I bet three dead people at the University of Alabama Huntsville and many, many more had never really been afraid for their lives at the University. Perhaps if we didn’t use idiotic reasoning of what happens after the fact and one of those three dead people could have been carrying a weapon for protection, as is guaranteed under the Constitution, there would be innocent people alive and one deranged sicko dead instead.

Tom Remington

In August, the governing board of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) voted unanimously to end unmanaged harvest of elk by state deer hunters. For years, any Virginian with a deer permit could shoot an elk wandering across the state line from Kentucky. That practice is expected to officially end this fall.

Additionally, the VDGIF board also moved toward an official elk reintroduction and management plan for southwestern Virginia.

?Kudos to conservation leaders in Virginia. Restoring a native game species to management levels is one of the highest achievements in conservation, and it?s great to see Virginia aspiring to that goal for elk,? said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

He added, ?The Elk Foundation is extremely proud of the role we played in restoring elk to neighboring Kentucky. With a lot of money, technical assistance from our staff and support from our volunteers, we helped relocate over 1,500 elk to Kentucky between 1997 and 2002. Today that herd has more than 11,000 animals and offers incredible hunting opportunities with legitimate chances to take world-class bulls.?

Research shows that Kentucky elk have dispersed into four neighboring states with varying degrees of hospitality. Virginians originally wanted to keep elk out but now the culture appears to be changing, said Allen.

As an extension of its mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, RMEF promotes sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed.

A YouTube video clip of the VDGIF board discussion and vote follows:

Posted by Tom Remington

Mark Warner says there’s a coalition, a Christian coalition, taking over the republican party and if they have their way they’ll take over the state. Among other groups, Warner says this coalition is made up of NRA members, home-schoolers and those with different views. He says this is “threatening to what it means to be an American”.

Think about that for a minute…..no, actually you need only a second. Did I wake up one morning to discover America has completely changed? What is going on?

Tom Remington