I am an avid hunter and supporter of brown bear hunting. Nevertheless, I do not like the idea of opening Pack Creek to bear hunting. What is next, the Hoonah dump? Opening an area for hunting where bears are already habituated to humans is wrong and immoral. One of the ideals all good hunters live by is "fair chase."
"Fair chase" is the original code of conduct first used by Boone and Crockett Club members in the early 1890s, at a time when sportsmen emerged as the guardians over our game animals and birds. It was defined as the ethical, sportsmanlike pursuit and taking of any native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.
Hunting bears in an area where they are already accustomed to man is not "fair chase." It gives the hunter an unfair advantage over the bears. Opening Pack Creek would be detrimental to hunters, bears, tourists and Admiralty Island. Please, if you have the power, make sure Pack Creek is not opened.
Ken Brown / Juneau
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