LISTINGS/REC REC Being creatures of habit, bears will often get into a routine with the bait site. They will hit at specific times of day, most often in the late evening and early morning. The goal for a hunter is to sneak in to the bait site and wait for the bear to show up for a meal. On the hunter’s end, this is often an expensive proposition. About twice a week during bear season, they have to haul up hundreds of pounds of food to keep the bears interested in the site. Gas, time and the cost of food are prohibitive to all but the most dedicated. Another method of bear hunting is the old-school European method of hound dogs. The dogs catch the scent of a bear and then chase the creature until, exhausted, the bear climbs a tree. The hunter, following the sounds of the dogs barking or maybe a GPS attached to the hounds, approaches the bear and dispatches it. This long-held tradition comes in a direct line from fox and stag hunters in the old world. Again, this is an expensive proposition. Specially trained dogs, expensive equipment, the danger of wolves killing your dogs and fuel alone make running bear dogs prohibitive. And another law that applies to most takes in Idaho does not apply to bears: the wanton waste law. Essentially, a hunter can shoot a bear and leave everything but the skull and hide behind. The meat will be eaten by other creatures, surely, but the whole notion of killing and not eating a big game animal is a tough pill to swallow. “It is a decision made by the [Fish and Game] Commission. Bear meat isn’t required to be salvaged. The rule has gone back and forth over the years. We have let the rule become more liberal to help reduce the population. Bear are not a species that most want to eat, it is a predator,” said White. “Also, some areas are very difficult to get in and out of. So we don’t ask the hunters to pull the meat out that they might not eat anyway.” White added: “We encourage animals to be used to the fullest extent. We require the bear hide and skull to be removed. They are often used as an educational tool. “Black bears are an awesome species to view but we need to control them so we can have elk as well. In most areas, we are meeting our goals and objectives.” Bear meat also has a few problems of its own according to naturalist and author Steven Rinella. He notes that bears tend to have a trichinosis problem, the disease that until this year, the FDA thought pigs would give you so they asked that you cook your pork to well done. Rinella notes that “in Montana’s Lincoln and Sanders counties, 100 percent of the bears tested over 6 years of age have tested positive for the parasite.” The bears get the disease by eating trash that contains the round worm Trichina Spiralis. Rinella added in an article posted to petersonshunting. com that, “nowadays, over 90 percent of U.S. trichinosis cases are attributable to bear meat.” While Rinella notes the potential dangers of bear meat, he concluded his article with advice on cooking it. The best way to deal with the trichinosis problem in bears is to cook the meat past 137 degrees. This almost assuredly will kill the bug and any chance you have of contacting it. “Remember,” Rinella wrote, “you killed it, you eat it.” For me, bait hunting bear is an exercise in patience, listening for the cracking of sticks that indicate something walking into the bait. Staying awake is the hardest part. But off in the distance, I heard a shuffle and my eyes caught a streak of cinnamon making its way through the brush. Excuse me, I think Kermit and I have some work to do … saving elk calves. WWW. B OISEWEEKLY.C O M
Register BOISE PARKS AND REC FALL SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL LEAGUES—New teams can register for adult slowpitch softball leagues from Monday, June 18-Friday, June 22. League play begins late July and continues through September. Visit cityofboise.org/parks for a roster. For more info, email sports@cityofboise.org or call 208-608-7650. Boise City Recreation office, 110 Scout Lane, Boise, 208-3844256, cityofboise.org/parks. BOISE TO IDAHO CITY MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR—Register at spondoro.com for this mountain bike tour, which will take place Saturday, June 16-Sunday, June 17, and departs from Fort Boise. Camping at Idaho City is encouraged, and the registration fee includes camping fees. Trudy’s Kitchen will provide dinner and breakfast and Ninkasi Brewery will supply tasty brews. $80-$100. Shu’s Idaho Running Company, 1758 W. State St., Boise, 208-344-6604, idahorunningcompany.com. IDAHO BOCCE BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS—The Idaho Bocce Ball Club will host the championship games for men’s and women’s singles Sunday, June 17, at 10 a.m. Idaho residents may register by filling out the application at idahobocceballclub.com. Contact Lou at 208-375-5228, Mike at 208-376-3171 or Judy at 208-890-4178 for more info. Proof of residency is required. Through Wednesday, June 13. $10. Ann Morrison Park, Americana Boulevard., Boise.
Events & Workshops MAXIMIZE YOUR MAXIMUS— Join Marisa Dial, personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist, for a seminar on how to train your gluteus maximus so you can be stronger, faster and have a lifted bootie. Thursday, June 14, 6:15 p.m. FREE. Shu’s Idaho Running Company, 1758 W. State St., Boise, 208-344-6604, idahorunningcompany.com.
Recurring GR8 TO SK8—Wear a crazy costume while you hone your ice skating skills. Dress in the day’s theme on Fridays this summer and receive $3 off your public skating session. Visit the website for a list of themes. Idaho IceWorld, 7072 S. Eisenman Road, Boise, 208-331-0044, idahoiceworld.com. THAI CHI IN THE GARDEN— Tai chi, a meditative practice incorporating slow movement, has been described as poetry in motion. Provided by longtime practitioner Jeff Rylee, participants are encouraged to become centered with the invigorating morning sounds and scents of the Meditation Garden. Saturdays, 10 a.m. FREE for IBG members, $5 nonmembers. Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise, 208-343-8649, idahobotanicalgarden.org.
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