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Friends of McNeil River is a diverse bunch - doctors, dentists, lawyers, writers, photographers, biologists, guides, teachers, pilots, and just plain outdoor enthusiasts. They all have something in common: they are concerned about the welfare of Alaska's world famous McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and its magnificent Brown Bears.
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Photo Copyright Mel Leskinen
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McNeil is special to them because most have been privileged to walk among the "people neutral" bears that make it so unique. Each person who visits comes away with a new understanding of brown bears. They know that McNeil River sanctuary has done more to educate the world about brown bears than any other single thing - it is a gift and a treasure beyond value.
In our ever shrinking world, even the wildest places need protection from the heavy hand of man. As remote as McNeil River seems, it is not free from the threat of development, habitat destruction, well-meaning but poorly designed "enhancement" projects, and noise pollution. Friends of McNeil River was formed to address some of these problems.
Its primary purpose is the preservation of the sanctuary's bears and their habitat. We would also like to have a voice in its future.
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Game Board gives McNeil grizzlies room to roam
Panel says hunting could be allowed on nearby state lands by 2007.
Hunters show interest in bear refuges
State land around the Douglas River was closed to hunting 20 years ago because a land trade with the National Park Service was under discussion. But the trade never took place, and now the state Board of Game, which begins its spring meeting today, is considering opening the area again.
Panel weighs McNeil River brown bear hunt
The McNeil River near Katmai National Park is world-famous for pictures of grizzly bears catching salmon in their teeth. But in recent years the number of bears seen at the famed site has been down.
Let's look at bears like grown-ups
Bear viewers and bear hunters have a common interest in healthy, wild bear populations. Let's put away our torches and figure this out like grown-ups.
(Archived Press)
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