Bear baiting is inhumane

To the editor:

Last fall when I read the Alaska Board of Fish and Game was planning to implement the baiting and snaring of bears I decided to join the people who were fighting against it, as I believe it is cruel and inhumane. I went to my only BOF meeting March 26 in Anchorage and I couldn’t believe my ears or my eyes. I have never encountered such bold arrogance as how the board treated the public.

After researching on the Internet, I now understand the arrogance of the board members. They already have their agenda, and the people be damned.

Here’s what I found out:

1. In 2009, then-Gov. Sarah Palin tried to force the board to install her good bud Corey Rossi in the vacant deputy commissioner slot.

2. When the board resisted — one reason being he lacks the educational background necessary for even an entry-level biologist — Palin created a new job slot, “assistant commissioner,” just for him.

3. As a listed board member of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife/Sportsmen for Habitat, there is a definite conflict of interest.

4. In 2007, hundreds of scientists signed letters denouncing the practice of baiting and snaring, to no avail.

5. Thirty-nine former Division of Wildlife conservation biologists or supervisors, each averaging about 20 years experience, formally protested Rossi’s hiring.

6. In April 2010, 14 more added their names against Rossi. There’s more; you won’t believe it, look it up.

What is wrong with this picture? Maybe it is Sarah Palin’s Alaska after all.

Della Dempsey

Wasilla