Thanks for the heads up on the program Stretch 8.
Unfortunately I do not have ready access to the referenced television station.
I would like to watch the program at some point. Perhaps it will show up on the internet?

Jungle makes some interesting observations. I've had black bear meat. In spaghetti sauce. And as sausage. Pretty tasty.

Personally, I've developed a pact with bears wherein I have promised not to mess with them if they don't mess with me. Indirectly I have been involved in the killing of brown and black bears though, as I have flown their hunters around. Mixed feelings about that which are better discussed over a few beers among friends. People in Alaska can get pretty upset over the discussion of bear hunting depending on a lot of things.

The young teacher killed by wolves is a tragedy. For her family, and for the wolves. The incident will be used as ammunition by those who fear wolves, and also politicized by parties on both sides of the issue. It remains to be seen if the wolves were rabid. AK Fish and Game is pursuing the incident.

On my side, during non deer hunting season, I tend to walk noisily through the old growth, well armed. A Mossberg 500 or 7mm Remington Magnum. Historically these have been a good match for an aggressive brown bear, although in the past grizzlies were hunted with Winchester 30-30's among other calibers. One of the greatest sources of conversation in Alaska is the preferred caliber or gauge of bear protection. During deer season (black tail on Admiralty Island) though I have walked stealthily through the old growth forest and tried to remain vigilant. In Southeast Alaska most of the people who have been messed up by Brown Bears have been hunters.

I have heard that most negative human-bear encounters in modern times involve black bears. I do not know if this is true.

I would suspect it is though as the black bear still ranges widely compared to brown and grizzly bears and their historic N. American ranges.

There is a balance, as Jungle alludes. You know this also. I suspect most of us would rather more enjoy living in an America with wild predators "out there". Alaska has been a political hotbed as far as predator control and attendant concerns, but rest assured there are people "out there" who share your appreciation for the wild that is still around. Even the parts that can kill us.