Animal magnetism on roads

John Y Cannuck

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Animal magnetism on roads

A Ministry of Transportation report indicates that, over the past decade, collisions with wildlife have jumped a staggering 86%.

The report shows that in 2003, more than 13,000 vehicle-wild animal collisions were reported, while many more go unreported. In Ontario there is, on average, one collision with wildlife every 38 minutes, and almost 90% of these involve white-tailed deer.

This translates into one out of every 18 vehicle collisions involving wild animals. Ottawa and Lanark County, the report shows, are two of the five worst areas in the province for combined property damage, injury and fatal collisions as a result of wildlife.

"Hunters play a critical role in keeping our roadways safe," said Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters biologist Ed Reid. "Regulated hunting helps reduce crop damage, habitat degradation as well as vehicle collisions with wild animals." Wildlife experts estimate that, if not for hunters, collisions with wildlife would actually soar by more than 200%.
 
A week ago today, as I was returning to Dryden, I came upon the scene of an accident involving a small car and a HUGE bear . After checking with the first vehicle on the scene (he said that although the car's front end was demolished, the people were OK but dazed by the deployed air-bags , and that he had cell-phoned the cops) I went over and looked at the dead bear . It was huge . I drove back to my kids place to get my kid and his 1/2 ton truck (I was driving the wife's car).The kid wanted to see the bear but didn't want it...so we drove back and looked at it some more .(when we got back two young guys said they were gonna take it) I took a few pictures ...but they didn't turn out too good ...too dark(about 7:45 at night ...pitch black). The front paws were about 7 " across, the body was longer than two strides(over 7 feet). The weight was estimated at over 600 lbs ....possibly over 700 lbs . Don't know who got it ...maybe it will be mentioned in our newspaper (haven't picked one up yet ).
The black hair on a bear soaks up the light making them almost impossible to see at night...much like a moose .Usually you see the tan legs of a moose before anything else .
Be careful out there .
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Wildlife experts estimate that, if not for hunters, collisions with wildlife would actually soar by more than 200%.

Thats one of the things you say to the Anti-Hunters.

"Killing an Animal with a gun Is Cruel!"

"So is Ramming into one with your Car"

Wally
 
UPDATE!!!
There is finally an article in the Dryden Observer about that bear that was killed on the highway west of Dryden....the bear weighed in excess of 1000 lbs.... don't know if this is official or not .
I don't remember how to down load the article...but it isn't on the Observer web-site yet anyhoo ....my brother e-mailed the article to me .
Wasn't too impressed with the lone picture ...it was taken of the bears back foot ...with a hand for comparison...shoulda taken a pic of the front foot ...it was 7" across .
 
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