Fish and Game Q&A: Can I be cited for taking bear meat without the shooter being present?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I went hunting with my brother-in-law recently. He was hunting for bear and I was hunting for mountain quail and gray squirrels. He had a bear tag and I didn’t. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to shoot a nice one that was about 200 to 250 pounds. We were unable at the time to take the whole bear home so he decapitated the bear, stuffed the head in his backpack and gave me about 50 lbs. of meat to take home in my backpack. We left the rest of the body there and agreed to go back for it later.

When we got home, he asked his brother and me to pick up the rest of the body because he had to go to work. I refused to do so because I thought it would not be legal since I was not the shooter. He told me it should be all right and that if I was stopped by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), I should just call him at work to verify the kill. I still didn’t go and we got into an argument. In this situation, could I have been cited for taking the bear meat without the shooter being present? Thanks! (Alex V.)

Answer: If you accompany a person in the field who is legally hunting bear and you have a firearm, archery equipment or other means capable of taking a bear, then it is reasonable to assume you are also taking bear. In addition, you could also be cited if you do not have a valid bear tag of your own. Your explanation that you were hunting squirrels would likely not be acceptable to a game warden, especially given that you helped transport some of the bear.

Reward increases for information on illegal shooting of 800-pound grizzly bear in Montana

The reward being offered for information on who illegally shot and killed an 800-pound grizzly bear in Montana has grown to more than $11,000. (The bear killed is not the one in the above photo.)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has begun distributing posters touting the large reward, recently sweetened to $11,800 after other organizations and private individuals, including Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, local ranchers and Defenders of Wildlife, committed funds for information leading to the conviction of the poacher or poachers.

"Interest in prosecuting the individual or individuals responsible for this illegal shooting has grown and so has the reward," said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim.

The reward is for tips on who killed the 800-pound bear only. The Fish and Wildlife Service is also investigating two other illegal grizzly shootings in the same area.

The bear was one that FWP officials were familiar with, having accidentally captured it in 2007 while doing a population study. It is believed to have been one of the largest male grizzlies in the region -- the average weight for such animals is approximately 600 pounds.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact TIP-MONT, the statewide FWP anti-poaching hotline, at (800) 847-6668.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: A large adult grizzly bear faces the camera. Credit: Joel Sartore / National Geographic / Getty Images

Maryland bear hunting season closes after four days

The Maryland black bear-hunting season opened Monday and ended yesterday after an acceptable quota was reached on Day 4 of the six-day season.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the conclusion of the season in the western counties of Garrett and Allegany, with 68 bears reported at mandatory check stations. The quota target was 60 to 85.

"The 2009 bear hunt was an unqualified success," Harry Spiker, the department's Wildlife & Heritage Service leader, said in a news release. "The hunt remains a safe, effective, well-regulated and scientifically sound tool for sustainably managing our bear population."

With the season closed, it will be illegal for any person who possesses a bear-hunting permit to further hunt the mammals. Also, hunters may not sell parts of any bear that has been killed in Maryland.

I was a bit surprised at the short season until I learned that four days is average in Maryland. The inaugural bear-hunting season in 2004 (the first in 51 years) was closed at the end of the first day to avoid exceeding the harvest quota.

In comparison, the California bear-hunting season opened in early August and runs through the last Sunday in December or when the quota of 1,700 bears are reported taken.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: A black bear peers through branches. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bear poachers from Ohio nabbed and arraigned in West Virginia

Poachers of wildlife seem to be making headlines every day somewhere in the country, tarnishing the image of legitimate hunters.

The latest story involves eight Ohio residents who traveled to West Virginia to carry out their dirty deeds, which involved illegally baiting black bears to a specific site and shooting them from elevated camouflaged stands.

They were apprehended after a long investigation by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources conservation officers and Wildlife Resources personnel.

“This group of hunters, all of whom were residents of Ohio, had been participating in this type of illegal activity for a period of several years,” said Capt. Michael Waugh of the Division of Natural Resources' District 3 office in Elkins. “They had purchased their bait, which consisted of donuts and corn, from multiple out-of-state vendors. The bait was then hauled into the area by truck and distributed to the bait sites using all-terrain vehicles. This out-of-state purchase and interstate transport of the bait is believed to have been an effort on the part of the poachers to conceal the quantities of bait, the purposes for which it was being purchased, and to avert suspicion in the areas they were baiting.”

Investigators uncovered seven baited shooting sites in Nicholas County. The alleged culprits -- two have yet to be arraigned -- were arrested at a cabin used as a base camp and at shooting sites. Two large adult black bears (pictured) and large quantities of bait were seized at the base camp. Two other bears had reportedly been transported out of state, and a request for assistance in recovering these animals has been made to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under provisions of the Lacey Act.

Black bear parts -- especially gallbladders, which are coveted as medicinal or as an aphrodisiac in some parts of the world -- are often sold by poachers on the black market.

Six of the men were arraigned and fined more than $2,000 apiece and given 100-day jail sentences that were suspended contingent upon payment of fines.

The officers are to be commended, but the penalties do not seem severe enough considering the apparent scope of this poaching operation.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Officers pose with black bears that were killed illegally and discovered as part of an investigation in West Virginia. Credit: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Bear hunter is mauled by his prey

A hunter out with a group of six men and their dogs was mauled by a black bear they had wounded.

Orval Sanders, of Oroville was hunting in Tahoe National Forest on Monday when his group treed three bears.

Mark Lucero, Department of Fish and Game spokesman, told the Appeal-Democrat that one of the bears came down from the tree after being shot and attacked the 83-year-old Sanders.

"The bear came out of the tree and grabbed the guy," Lucero said. "He tried to protect himself by raising both arms in front of him and the bear slashed and bit both arms."

Another member of the hunting party shot the animal, killing it.

Sanders suffered a crushed left wrist as well as injuries to his left arm and shoulder and was taken by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he underwent surgery on his wrist.

None of his hunting companions accompanied Sanders to the hospital and apparently resumed the hunt, according to Lucero.

Officials plan to test the bear for rabies.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: A road sign acknowledges the presence of bears. Credit: Eric Gay / Associated Press

Bear shot to death by angler at Lake Mary in Mammoth Lakes area

A 175-pound adult female black bear was shot to death Tuesday afternoon by a 58-year-old visitor to Lake Mary near the Eastern Sierra town of Mammoth Lakes.

Steve Searles, wildlife manager for Mammoth Lakes, described the shooting as "unprovoked," according to a report on the Sierra Wave website.

The California Department of Fish and Gam is investigating the case. The department's Lt. Marty Markham said this morning in an interview that the man and his companion were frightened away from a spot on the lake's shore by an approaching bear. Another person helped "haze" the bear away.

The couple returned to the site and the bear returned. The woman tried to "haze" the bear away. The man retrieved a large-caliber handgun from his vehicle and shot the bear once in the head.

Markham said the investigation should be complete within a week, and could not say whether charges will be brought against the man, whom Markham would describe only as a 58-year-old from San Bernardino County.

Don Barrett, who runs Lake Mary Marina & Store, did not witness the shooting but was at the lake and heard the shot. Barrett, in an interview, said he heard that the bear was aggressive and standing on its hind legs approaching the couple when it was shot with a .44-caliber pistol.

Barrett said bears have learned to frighten anglers from their fishing spots, then steal their stringers of fish.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A bear near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., last year. Credit: Associated Press

Yosemite bears appear smarter than the average camper

The accompanying video is making the Internet rounds and though it's amusing -- after some shaky moments at the beginning -- it shows why campers and even day-hikers need to keep their food properly stored to prevent bears from becoming hopelessly habituated.

Sadly, though, when bears become used to humans and what they bring into the park, it becomes harmful for the bears. At least 18 bears have been hit by automobiles this year. Bear incidents in parking lots, campgrounds and in the wilderness number 300-plus. Bears that lose all fear of humans often have to be killed.

Visitors are allowed to store food in their vehicles only during daylight hours, if the food is out of sight and the windows are closed. And this means all potential food, even canned food and drinks, and many other items, including cosmetics and even lip balm.

Otherwise, food lockers must be used and they're available at Curry Village and most trailhead parking areas. Bear canisters are required of all overnight hikers. Day hikers are encouraged to keep food within arm's reach and asked not to leave food unattended.

As for the video, it might have been staged. But the message is clear.

-- Pete Thomas

Glacier National Park grizzly deaths

Two grizzlies at Montana's Glacier National Park were killed by park officials last week — one, unfortunately, unintentionally.

Glacier National Park issued a press release today clarifying that the death of a male grizzly bear cub on Aug. 17 was attributed to a tranquilizer dart injection it received at the time its 17-year-old mother was being "humanely dispatched" (National Park-speak for "killed") for becoming too habituated to humans. A second cub, a female, was captured and will be transferred to the Bronx Zoo. Shown below is park officials transferring the cub to a larger trap.

The mother and yearling cubs had repeatedly been seen this summer hanging around the backcountry campground at Oldman Lake in the park's Two Medicine region, and their removal came after two separate incidents in which they approached humans "in a non-defensive situation," said the Park Service.

The mother bear had a number of run-ins with humans dating back to 2004, and the Park Service repeatedly used noise, Karelian Bear Dogs and other non-lethal methods to keep her away from humans. The park service began tracking her about five days before she was killed.

Volunteers pick apples Monday at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park visitors might want to lend a hand on Monday picking apples in the Yosemite Valley orchards.

The annual volunteer event, at Curry Village Apple Orchard from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Lamon's Apple Orchard near Valley Stables from 2 to 5 p.m., is intended to reduce temptation for bears to enter the area and, by extension, prevent human encounters with the animals.

Removing the apples encourages bears to return to their natural food sources in the park. Yosemite has had a significant decrease in bear incidents since the apple-picking program began more than a decade ago.

There will also be National Park Service rangers and biologists on hand to discuss Yosemite bears and answer questions.

All ages are welcome to participate, though volunteers younger than 18 need to have an agreement form (also available on-site) signed by a parent or legal guardian and those 14 and younger need to have an adult present.

Volunteers should plan on bringing their own drinking water and snacks as well as a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. More information is available on the event flier or by calling (209) 379-1850.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Volunteers gather apples at Yosemite National Park. Credit: U.S. National Park Service

Woman killed by bear she had been feeding

A woman who had been warned about the perils of feeding bears was killed by one of the animals.

Donna Munson, a resident of Ouray County, Colo., was found dead outside of her home last week, her body mauled and partially eaten.

According to Joel Burk, Ouray County Sheriff's investigator, Munson died of multiple traumas. The wounds were consistent with being attacked by a bear.

A bear shot and killed near the woman's home is believed to be the one that attacked her. Though a necropsy showed that the mammal appeared to have been feeding on a human based on its stomach contents, the results are still inconclusive pending results of a DNA test.

"We don't know for sure, but we feel it was one of the bears who regularly came to her residence," Burk said in a Grand Junction Sentinel article.

Munson had been warned repeatedly that it is illegal and dangerous to feed bears, but continued to do so.

Smokey Bear celebrates 65 years of service

Smokey Bear turned 65 this weekend.

The iconic fire prevention figure, known to outdoor enthusiasts and nature and animal lovers young and old, has changed little since first gracing U.S. Forest Service posters in 1944.

In all these years, the catch phrase associated with Smokey has only been updated twice. The original, "Smokey Says -- Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires" was switched to "Remember...Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" in 1947, then again modified in 2001 to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires," to better cover natural areas other than forests that may be affected by fires.

Smokey did also go through a name change, when "the" was added in 1952. It wasn't a "legal" change though, and was only inserted by songwriters to help maintain the rhythm in an anthem. Smokey enthusiasts still debate the correct name. (The Times style book states the correct usage is Smokey or Smokey Bear, not Smokey the Bear.)

No matter how you say it, the Smokey Bear wildfire prevention campaign is the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history.

An ironic side note: Smokey's "birthday" coincides with the opening weekend of bear hunting season in California.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Smokey Bear poster. Credit: U.S. Forest Service

California bear hunters to open season Saturday amid usual opposition

California's bear-hunting season begins Saturday and, as usual, opponents have emerged to take potshots at the Department of Fish and Game.

Notably -- and predictably -- vocal is the wildlife protection group, Big Wildlife, which claims trophy hunting of bears "is scientifically indefensible, unethical and cruel."

The DFG has and will continue to maintain that bear hunting, like deer hunting, is a necessary management tool and that its annual hunt quota of 1,700 adult bears does not jeopardize an estimated overall state population of 25,000 to 30,000 animals.

A valid concern pertains to poaching, as there's a lucrative demand for bear gallbladders, which are used in traditional Asian medicine, and bear paws, which are considered a delicacy in soup. Poaching is a serious issue but California's bear population has remained fairly constant over the years.

Said Brian Vincent, a spokesman for Big Wildlife: "From August 8 until December, life will be unbearable for bears in California. Hunting bears isn't 'sport.' It is cold-blooded killing of one of nature's most majestic animals."

The season will run through the last Sunday in December or until the quota is reached.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Black bear. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Hikers, campers, anglers this weekend are cautioned to be bear aware

Southern California hikers, campers and anglers will flock to local mountains and the Sierra Nevada during the first holiday weekend of summer. They ought to know that bears are no longer hibernating and many are hungry. So here are some tips for those bound for the forests and streams:

--Do not intentionally feed bears and do not leave garbage strewn about.

--Enjoy your favorite pastime in groups (this should not be a problem on the busy weekend).

--Keep the kids in sight at all times, and keep pets on a leash.

--Try not to get caught between a female bear and her cubs.

--If you encounter a bear and it does not see you, stay calm and continue facing it while slowly backing away. True, this is easier said than done.

--If a bear does spot you or strolls into your camp, yell and make other loud noises and bang pots or pans together. Black bears do not like confusing unfamiliar noises.

--Do not run from a bear unless it's dangerously close. Running can trigger an attack response and no human can outrun a bear. 

--If a bear attacks fight back with whatever means you can muster. This doesn't work against larger and far more powerful grizzlies, but there are no grizzlies in California.

Lastly, do not let any of this spoil your mood or prevent you from visiting the woods. Your chances of seeing a bear might be fair, but your chances of getting injured by one are extremely slim. Happy Fourth and stay safe!

--Pete Thomas

Photo: A black bear hunts for fish along Taylor Creek near South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Credit: Associated Press

Fish and Game Q&A: Can I give my abalone to others in my dive group?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Outposts, on Thursday afternoon or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I live in Modesto and occasionally dive for abalone with friends from the Bay Area. It's a long drive though and ends up being a long day, sometimes barely worth the set-up time and effort for just three abalone. Occasionally, I would prefer to just give my three abalone to the others in my dive group (so they can enjoy six abalone) while I drive back to Modesto and catch up on my sleep. How can I legally do this? (Carl W., Modesto)

Answer: You must tag your abalone and fill out your report card immediately upon exiting the water. Then you must keep your abalone in your possession until you officially give or “gift” them to someone else. Keep in mind that whoever you give them to is also allowed to possess only three tagged abalone, whether they have a fishing license or not. Therefore, you may not give them to your dive buddies if your abalone combined with their own puts the gift recipient over their limit of three in possession.

To make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way should your friends be asked, it's also a good idea to write a note for them to keep with your gifted abalone while the abs are in their possession or are being transported home. The note should be dated and include your name, address, telephone and fishing license number so that the abalone can be traced back to you, if necessary.

Question: For the past 25 years I have been weaving rugs using wool and hair from a variety of animals and then selling those rugs. I can obtain some bear hair from a wildlife researcher working out of state and want to know if it would be legal for me to use this in my weavings. (Barbara S.)

EBay will continue to allow postings of guided trophy hunts

EBay has decided to continue to allow postings for guided trophy hunts of large predators, upsetting wildlife advocacy groups that have urged the Internet auction site to ban such listings.

In February, a coalition of groups including Big Wildlife and Raincoast Conservation sent correspondence to eBay CEO John Donahoe requesting that the site cease allowing the posting of hunting auctions for such big game predators as bears, wolves and mountain lions.

Late last week, the wildlife advocates received a letter from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Tod Cohen, which stated that "after an extensive review the conclusion is that we will not be expanding the scope of hunting experiences prohibited at this time. Respecting the diversity of opinions and points of view found within the eBay community, our general rule is that if an item can be sold legally off eBay, it can be sold on eBay."

"EBay does have a detailed set of rules covering the sale of animal and wildlife-related goods and services, and has worked closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as several animal conservation and protection groups to craft our Animal and Wildlife Products policy," Cohen wrote. "We prohibit the sale of bear parts on eBay and additionally do not generally allow the sale of any live animals, and we worked with the U.S. Humane Society a few years ago to ban the sale of canned-hunt experiences where there is a guarantee of a successful hunt involving a fenced-in animal."

Bear hunt expansion plan postponed in California

The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to postpone a decision on proposals to expand black bear hunting regulations in the state, at least for the upcoming season.

The Department of Fish and Game proposals would have allowed bear hunting in San Luis Obispo County for the first time and also permit hunters to kill more than one bear per season.

A coalition of more than 40 organizations, including Los Padres ForestWatch, Big Wildlife and the Humane Society of the United States, were on record in opposition of any regulatory changes that would increase hunting.

"Thanks to the commission's decision not to adopt this controversial proposal, black bears will continue to have the freedom to roam in San Luis Obispo County," said Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch.

The proposals may not be dead though. DFG officials will spend the next few months gathering information in response to concerns raised and may resubmit both bear hunting recommendations to the Commission next year.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Black bear.

Grizzly bears in Yellowstone not experiencing the best of times

There's a troubling trend within Yellowstone National Park: Too many grizzly bears are dying or being killed by hunters, and the animals are being forced to expand range in search of food.

You may recall that Yellowstone's 600 grizzlies were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Last year, 71 grizzlies died. Of those, 48 were shot by hunters, including at least 20 that were killed by hunters acting in self-defense.

Biologists say the Yellowstone grizzly population remains strong, but they're concerned because beetles in the high country are killing whitebark pine trees, which drop seeds that bears use as a dietary staple. Plus, there are concerns global warming will lead to even fewer whitebark pines.

With a traditional food source harder to come by, some believe, the bears will become grumpier, and danger to humans will increase. "The prospect is that every year is going to be a bad food year because of what's happening to whitebark," Doug Honnold, an attorney for Earthjustice, told the Associated Press.

Earthjustice has sued the federal government in an attempt to have Yellowstone's grizzlies placed back on the endangered species list.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A grizzly at Yellowstone National Park. Credit: James Peaco / Associated Press

So long Earl Gustkey, a true character and rare breed of journalist

Earl Gustkey, who died Friday after a brief bout with leukemia, was my predecessor on the L.A. Times outdoors beat. He was a character whose many traits included deep passion for all topics he wrote about -- including women's basketball!

I remember Earl best as an outdoors reporter, who held that beat during the newspaper's heyday, when an expansive sports section routinely splashed colorful stories about the great outdoors on its pages.

He was meticulous in reporting. When he'd return from his adventures, he'd tear pages from his notebook and piece them together in chronological order atop his desk, then start writing.

Stories about Earl are too numerous to list here, but one of my favorites was the time he visited remote Christmas Island, northwest of Australia, to write about fly-fishing for bonefish. Hawaii-based flights to and from Christmas Island were on Saturday's only, and Earl missed either the outbound or inbound and got to remain at large in an exotic locale for two weeks.

He was old-school; he wrote primarily about fishing, hunting and wildlife, until giving up the beat in the mid-1980s. When I took over and started writing about surfing, skiing and snowboarding, Earl didn't complain to me personally, but he probably objected and would still object today.

I cannot envision Earl as a blogger or Tweeter, and perhaps a changing newspaper landscape was partly why he retired in 2001 and moved to Montana, which he once referred to as God's country. He was 69, and he will be missed.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo by Los Angeles Times

Bear hunt expansion plan in California under fire

Conservation and animal welfare groups have come out of the woodwork in opposition to California Department of Fish and Game proposals to expand hunting of black bears, believing that the changes are bad news for bears.

If passed, the proposals will allow hunters to bag more than the current limit of one bear per season and also will allow for bear hunting in San Luis Obispo County for the first time.

A coalition of 37 groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, Big Wildlife and Los Padres ForestWatch, stated in a letter delivered to the DFG that the proposals are "misguided, unnecessary and scientifically indefensible."

"Instead of letting trophy hunters turn these magnificent animals into throw rugs by the fireplace, the agency should vigorously protect bears," said Big Wildlife communications director Brian Vincent.

According to the DFG, California's black bear population has increased and is now estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000.

Alaska's predator control program now allows hunters to use bear paw snares

About the same time Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano was downgraded from orange to yellow, meaning an eruption is less likely, the state's Board of Game set off its own fireworks by announcing new guidelines in a predator control program that now allows the use of paw snares to catch and kill bears, and helicopters for access.

You may recall the criticism leveled at Gov. Sarah Palin during her bid to become vice president over her support for the aerial hunting of wolves as part of the program.

Under new guidelines, hunters can use snares to trap black bears in a specific area and can access the area via private helicopters. As for wolves, state employees are now authorized to use poison gas to kill orphaned wolf pups in dens (orphaned, presumably, after aerial hunting).

Most existing wolf-kill programs have been renewed, and the board did reject a highly controversial plan by the state's Department of Fish and Game to allow private hunters to shoot wolves from helicopters east of Fairbanks, along the Canadian border.

Naturally, the program is again under fire. In a story in the Anchorage Daily News, Defenders of Wildlife spokesman Wade Willis said, "Those are all big expansions based on just the desperate nature of the Board of Game and the [Department of Fish and Game] to be successful. Their backs are against the wall. Really how much farther can you go?"

Overall, the program is designed to remove enough predators to allow other animals, such as moose and caribou, to rebound and flourish.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A black bear in Alaska stands and takes notice. Credit: Associated Press

EBay urged to halt guided trophy hunt auctions

*Updated with an official response statement from an eBay spokesperson

Some North American wildlife advocacy groups are urging eBay to ban the posting of certain guided trophy hunts currently available on the online auction site. Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Raincoast Conservation and Big Wildlife sent correspondence to eBay CEO John Donahoe requesting that posting of hunting auctions for such big predators as bears, wolves and mountain lions no longer be allowed. 

"Few eBay users are aware the company also auctions off the lives of some of our planet's most magnificent animals," said Big Wildlife communications director Brian Vincent. "eBay has become an online marketplace peddling the slaughter of wolves, bears and cougars."

A search on eBay this morning came up with opportunities to "Buy Now" or bid on guided hunts of grizzly, black and brown bears, mountain lions and wolves as well as numerous species of hooved mammals and birds. Interestingly, the site does not allow for the sale of products such as teeth, claws and rugs from certain animals, including those of bear and mountain lion.

Black bear cub Lil' Smokey released back into the wilderness today

Lil' Smokey, the orphaned black bear cub rescued by a firefighter during the July 2008 Moon fire near Redding, was released back into the wilderness today. The cub had been in rehabilitation and treatment for severe burns and dehydration at the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care center since being found by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection forester Adam Deem.

The 11-month old male bear was released at a remote site in the Klamath National Forest by California Department of Fish and Game personnel.  While the actual release site is being kept concealed, it is a natural bear den located within 75 miles of where the cub was originally found. DFG outfitted Lil' Smokey with an electronic transmitter before release so that his movements can be periodically monitored.

"Rehabilitating and releasing orphaned bear cubs is a rewarding part of our bear management program," said DFG staff environmental scientist Doug Updike. "This is a second chance at survival for a cub that would certainly have died."

The little bear generated much public attention and concern since being rescued.  LTWC created a blog and also installed a webcam in his cage so that the public could keep up on his care and rehabilitation. The cam today shows the empty cage where Lil' Smokey lived, with a handwritten sign in it that reads "Gone Home."

--Kelly Burgess

Top photo: Lil' Smokey receiving treatment by DFG wildlife veterinarians in Sacramento shortly after being rescued. Credit: Debra Hamilton/DFG

Bottom photo: Lil' Smokey at his release today. Credit: Greg Barnette/Redding Record-Searchlight