American Sportsmen Hunt Polar Bears Under Canada's New Rules

Image: Scott Schliebe USFWS

See the "man-tracks" behind the cub?

I think (Well, I "know") Scott had a drugged momma bear and actually took the cub and placed it on the momma bear and took this shot while she was waking up; or maybe one of the science crew measuring and sampling the species did the setup; the chopper behind him? Nice picture. Is the cub or momma a trophy somewhere? By now . . .? Nah.... and yet over 80% of the scientific group with radio tags were killed by "subsistence" Alaskan hunters a few years back. . . so maybe this Momma Bear-Cub combo is a trophy pair of rugs somewhere, or part of some native costume boots or trim. . . you know, Made in America, by Americans.

But in Canada . . .

In Canada they could be hunted, but not as a pair. New Hunting Rules are now established to exploit and protect this species while their certain extinction looms ever closer.

The True American Sportsman. Come on! Be a "sport."

What should you do? It depends on your financial station and situation. It depends also on whether you are a "real" hunter. (Not like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and helicopter-hunting of the wicked wolves of the wild north!)

Are you a Sportsman? Are you an American Sportsman?

If you are an American Sportsman the proximity of the the two nations; their location on the same continent really aids you in selecting your hunting area.

A new series of rules is coming into effect for the American "Sportsmen" who is hunting for Trophy Polar Bear in Canada. These should be fully implemented by late this fall 2007.

The True American Sportsman response has been enthusiastic! A nearly "let me at it" cry for male hunter recognition within the groups of real sportsmen!(The new rules main features are detailed below. Note that only a few "Diana-type" women have expressed a hunting interest, but the new rules do not exclude women and a few sportswomen are expected to apply.)

Hunting and killing this endangered and soon to be extinct wild formidable beast will surely attract the "best of the best" American Sportsmen -- those hunters who love the great outdoors, and yearn for the simpler days when these kinds of activities put meat on the campfire, a rug on the floor, or a fully posed carnivorous monster in the corner of the Trophy Room. The new rules will bring back the really meaningful days when hunters had an overwhelmingly important traditional role in the survival of mankind. The new rules have some rough spots, but are expected to make "men" out of boys. Real men are expected to rise to the challenge the new rules provide.

American Sportsman, and avid Texas Quail hunter, Dick Chaney is quoted, "These new rules from Canada should be welcomed by the U.S. and especially by American Sportsmen, like me, who wish to continue hunting in the honorable American Sporting Tradition. The new Canadian rules are being effected to encourage good sportsmanship and to promote better cross-border relations with the United States." When asked about the new rules, Chaney said, "I look forward to them. In recent discussions with my counterpart in Canada, I have been assured equity of opportunity for the really deserving "North American" Sportsman."

Chaney reportedly sent President George W. Bush an invitation to join him on a special executive hunt before Thanksgiving day. The White House officially responded "No Comment" when asked in press sessions. This week. A confidential source privately reported that the President wants to wait until after next years election -- so he can do his remaining term in the safety of office.

Other's in the Administration had glowing comments about Canada's new hunting approach.

Last week, Dale Hall, Bush appointed Director of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said, "The true American "Sportsmen" welcomes these changes, and with them the opportunity of a lifetime. A single "affordable" chance to prove to himself and others he has what it takes to obtain a Sports Trophy Polar Bear for legal import into the United States under the new rules that when we see them, I'm sure, will make everyone proud to be an American Sportsmen."

Under current US regulations, this Trophy importing is legal now, but under the new Canadian rules a complete review of the American permitting and fee schedule will be undertaken to assure American Sportsman are getting the best out of the Fish and Wildlife Service in the United States.
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Use this link to join me at Xomba. We can discuss the rules, weapons and future of the Polar Bear. Hunting plans should be made and arranged well in advance.

http://www.xomba.com/referral/77777d6e

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Highlights of the new rules:

(These rules are expected to be reviewed in 5 years (2012) to see if modification is necessary.)

Getting a Polar Bear Trophy! Be Realistic.

Okay. If you, as a "sportsman", do not act soon -- the opportunity will be forever lost! Two thirds of the current polar bear population will vanish before the year 2050. That gives you, as an American Sportsman, a "window in time" to get your bear hunting act together before even native guided "subsistence hunting" and native guided hunts for foreign hunters as outlined in the rules below -- are likely banned. For American Sportsman to ever hunt the largest most dangerous mammal predator currently on the surface of the Earth requires some solid planning NOW.

Retrospectively, the "corner" apparently was turned on the polar bear's coming extinction by the time of the Newt Gingrich era in Congress, which denied the last opportunity to begin real climate change recognition of the anthropogenic role and its outcome, and the changes needed to affect the future.

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Section I

(Note: This includes hunting "guide" information.)

Part 1.
Outline, circumstance, and license fee distribution.

Only NATIVE CANADIAN CITIZENS are allowed to operate hunting camps or guide services for foreign hunters. The Native Canadian Hunters Guild will license native Canadian guides and support native Canadian dog sled teams for the hunters of foreign nationality. Absolutely No dual citizenship, or British, Australian, or other Commonwealth citizens are allowed to operate or profit from Native Canadian Hunting Guild activities directly or indirectly. The intent of these regulations is to promote the conservation of Polar Bears for the benefit of those most affected by the anthropogenic global warming which will likely cause the extinction of this and other polar sea ice adapted species, as well as the Inuit-descended native North American people of the arctic fringe of Canada.

Of the license fee's collected, 30% or 42% of the fee is paid to the Native Canadian Hunters Guild outfitter guides, depending on the hunt as a part 2 or part 3 hunt, as below. Payment is made to and through the local tribal/community government in the hunting areas.

After extensive discussions, license fees are split among several Canadian government agencies, some doing science and others involved in international efforts and protocols to mitigate the rapid destruction of polar habitat. Annually, 18% of the fee will be devoted to explorations of projects that could relocate some species members to the South Polar regions since complete destruction of northern habitat is expected within 100 years (before 2105).

As this and other species habitat mitigation efforts proceed, negotiations continue with other international partners as to emissions recollection from the the air. 21% of the fees will be devoted to local sequestration and international greenhouse gas sequestration efforts, (Principally CO2).

In this phase it is anticipated that new "realistic and progressive" American Leadership will allow international progress on the emission and sequestration fronts. This foreign hunter sports trophy fee adjustment is practical and may help 'sportsmen' leverage their government leaders into substantive social action. Remainder fee amounts will be entered into research of other northern sea ice adapted species, to help in understanding what other animals are endangered by the warming of the northern polar areas.

The ratio of fee distribution will change as follows with coordinating infrastructure. Fees returned to local communities will adjust upwards annually by 0.4%. A complete review and reanalysis of rules and fee distribution will be conducted every 5 years, commencing June 1, 2012.

Part 2. License Fee for Trophy Polar Bear "True Sportsmanship" Hunting.

The hunting license fee for polar bear will be $2,000,000 (US). Local taxes will be paid in addition.

The $2,000,000(US) sports trophy hunt will be limited to 30 days, beginning the moment fees and local taxes are time-stamped "paid." (Taxes vary, but none are over $100,000 (US) (See section II for transportation limitations and benefit fee differences of Part 2 and Part 3 hunts.)

Part 3.

The hunting fee is reduced to $1,500,000 (US) if the hunter meets the guide parties at selected points and spends an evaluation check-out of 7 days on a dog-sled trip to the Local Seasonal Tax Collection Outposts, established in each hunting area where documentation is provided and the start of the permissible 35-day (Part 3) hunting period occurs. (See section II for transportation limitations and benefits.)

This reduced fee license (Part 3.) hinges upon the applicant sportsman spending time prior to the hunt with the team he will have as support for his hunt using his choice of weapons, providing the support team an opportunity to judge his competence. The trade-off saves the "sportsman" some money.

Part 4.

No rifles or firearms of any kind are allowed by the sportsman on the hunt. (The Guide Chief is allowed a 300 magnum, but only to save his own life, or others of the guide team.) The Guide Chief of the hunt is not allowed to aid the sportsman hunter against his target bear in any way. Plastic/fiber polar-bear-proof composite cocoons are carried as safe shelters for support personnel. No bear-proof shelters are carried for the sportsman hunter. This was chosen since it was more sporting, and enhanced the hunt. (See section 2 for hunting weapons permitted)

Part 5.

a) No snowmobiles are allowed on Polar Bear hunting expeditions, and no motorized vehicles such as four-wheeled ATVs, or tools, chain saws, ice augers, no generators, no fossil-carbon fueled motors whatever are allowed. All such fossil-carbon fueled devices are prohibited.

b) Only renewable energy power devices, are allowed. High tech solar rechargeable batteries, and camp scale windmills are encouraged. These must be approved prior to the hunt. Since most of the hunting is expected to occur after the sea ice habitat of the polar bear refreezes, wind power is more likely to be the only reliable non-polluting energy source for camp activities.

c) The only exceptions are for devices such as camp lanterns and camp stoves powered by biofuels, with manufacturer's certificate and serial number of production for hunting purposes.

d) Alcoholic beverage-fueled equipment such as lantern lighting devices and camp cook stoves or heaters, such as those approved to operate on whiskey, rum, vodka, cheap Scotch < $30 US/liter) gin and other 80-proof or more beverages are permitted so long as the device is designed to use them. (Keep consumable, good Scotch in clearly marked containers. Never use good Scotch in lighting or camping equipment. To do so will terminate your license and the hunt is over, and you will NOT be allowed another chance at a subsequent date. (A short list of good Scotches not to be burned is in Section III; other Scotches may be added, depending on local government tastes.)

Section II

Part 1. Hunting weapons. No firearms. No crossbows. Rationale.

Sportsmanship:

It was found (by survey) that the majority of members of American sporting clubs, men's groups, even men's clubs, did not understand 'sporting' as it was originally used in Europe or even as far back as the cruel spectator gladiatorial games of Rome. Sporting was a word, meaning, in the British sense, that which provides at least a 50-50 chance between contestants. Extending this meaning of sporting to sportsman and sportsmanship revives "sport" in it's truest sense. It was pointed out that since the animal participant as a hunting contestant (polar bear) is not allowed un-natural tools or weapons in what for them is "subsistence hunting" to equalize the 'sport' only the most natural of man-made amplifications could be employed. The general agreement among the regulators was that the human hunter's comparative intelligence is what made a sporting proposition out of the hunt. Otherwise, for example, with a firearm -- there was "nothing sporting" about it.

Part 2. Weapons allowed:

The weapons below were selected in the interest of promoting "True American Sportsmanship" in forays to Canada. It was found by direct interview and research of the American Enterprises Institute, the Ransack Corporation, and the Hoovers Group, that the average "American Sportsman" did not really get into the "true sportsman hunting condition" unless ALL firearms for use on animals were prohibited.

Native people's traditions and knowledge of historical hunting success ratios were used in analysis of the hunting weapons to be allowed based on a nearly 50-50 trophy/sportsman hunter ratio to assure a "sporting" hunt condition.

Sportsman hunters seeking a Polar Bear Trophy, should recognize the added thrill of hunting where the trophy target might stalk and kill the hunter. True sportsmanship in hunting in this modern era is not for the faint-hearted or for those lacking true hunting character. Team experiences are encouraged. This is a meaningful way to establish lifelong respect and camaraderie for those successful hunters. Team hunting revives the primordial values of teamwork among the hunt's survivors and strengthens the bonds of men and team-players.

The hunting "experience" with the new rules won't be trivialized as it has been with firearms. Polar bear hunting as a "sporting proposition" attempts to give equity to the willing participants.

These weapons and rules will add to the "value" of the killing experience! If you succeed, You will have a hunting story to tell!

a) Hand held Spears. These Spears are NOT thrown.

Pole weapons, Polearm, or modified (weighted) Naginata, etc.

A variety of Naginata. Long versions of these weapons also exist.

Image: http://www.naginata.org/background.html

This effective weapon reaches about 50-50 success ratio if two hunters team together to work the hunting target with hand held spears. A single hunter has less than a 25% chance of success, and will likely be killed and eaten, or at least killed but still recognized as a "true sportsman." Spears with a manufactured high strength steel head of any shape are allowed with the approval of the guide chief. Naginata with sufficient mass to penetrate the polar bear's rib cage under high angular momentum deployment are excellent devices. Although there are no records of naginata used either on tiger or bear, students of the weapon and experts in use all agree that if the human does not kill via a disabling killing wound on the trophy bear within 15 seconds, chances for the hunter are not good. Stamina is very important with these weapons against a mature bear.

b) Knives, swords, staff swords, and similar edged weapons.

Image: Wikipedia. Katana (Japanese, 1500's-1600's) Dresden, Zwinger Museum.

These truly magnificent weapons are approved routinely, and even combinations of these weapons achieve a very solid 53-47 ratio(knife & sword) in favor of the human one on one with Polar Bear. (Fools are not encouraged to apply for use of these weapons for polar bear hunts.) The percentage of human advantage edge happens only if the human is a high level expert martial arts weapons class performer. Samurai class weapons and expertise can assure a very sporting and successful hunt. However, Polar Bear, when engaged, is extremely fast, and if the swordsman's first thrusts are not decisive and fatal to the Trophy, or are blocked or intercepted, it is likely the swordsman will swiftly die. Though this type of hunting encounter is slightly advantageous for the hunter, high expertise is needed to survive at the close ranges required by these edged weapons. Honor and sportsmanship are well-preserved in any event. Your hunting camp will honor and remember you.

c) Atlatl and darts.

image: Wikipedia

Visit this site for darts and points:

http://thunderbirdatlatl.com/catalog/darts.html

The atlatl predates the bow and arrow. (Also includes Woomera, and a variety of other cultural analog weapons lumped together as "spear throwers") In the last 15-18 thousand years, the atlatl was the overwhelming edge humans had over all other animals. The Inuit were successful in using the atlatl to kill polar bear. One on one, the odds are close to 50-50 in the atlatl expert class. however, the speed of attack a Polar Bear can mount, some 35 mph, can quickly alter the success ratio. Inuit legends are usually of small team hunts. When sufficient distance between trophy and hunter allows multiple darts expertly presented, atlatls have the greatest chance of success. Atlatls are welcome, but it is suggested hunters in groups of two be the minimum number to attempt polar bear, with atlatls. (Two valid licenses would have to be held as a two person team.)

d) Hand sprung and held bows and arrows.

Compound Bows are allowed, and actually preferred:

Image: Wikipedia, Browning bow.

Any arrowhead to be affixed to arrows must have been inspected by the hunt guide chief and a signed statement of approval given local authorities. Compound bows are allowed, but a string pull of 150-lbs is considered a minimum. Holding weight in the 75 lb range is common. The Longbow is acceptable, and the original weapons with 150 - 200 lb pull weights are allowed, as well as new designs of them. Exceptional hunting strength and skill are required for the conventional bow meeting the projection velocity requirement. Any bow allowed for use in hunting a polar bear must be capable of projecting an arrow over 350 feet per second, and these will be tested before the bow is allowed for the hunt. Only a few manufacturers make these kinds of bows in the west, so some eastern oriental bows should be examined, such as the Korean bow. One on one odds are estimated at no better than 50-50, and to assure a sporting proposition, ring seal blubber and scent oil anoints the hunter to assure a "close draw-in" of the trophy target.

e) Pike and bludgeon type weapons are "prohibited." Even with four hunters working together, success is usually in the 20% range, while the bear is seriously maimed and has to be sacrificed. A polar bear in attack is far too quick and powerful for pikes or even medieval bludgeons. To give the human hunter a sporting chance, these weapons are prohibited.

f) Primitive weapons rules for those hunting weapons manufactured with post ice age technology (Stone age technology) are in process of development. These include stone points, bone tools and mountings which are not allowed at present. Primitive "sportsman" hunts will be a team event only and teams will consist of five to seven 'sportsman' per trophy. It is hoped the 2010 season will provide the first opportunities.

This kind of hunt is being stimulated by "true sportsman" who wish to use primitive tools as their ancestors did to create a more realistic and sporting adventure, manufacturing their own tools and points from stone and bone, and edges of flint and volcanic glass.

Part 3. Fly-in or sled-in.

Those sportsmen who choose to sled-in on a 7-day evaluation ride can save $500,000 (US).

The reason for the Transportation Discount to license is: The $500,000 discount allows the guide team to check out the sportsman's performance on the 7-day dog sled trip across some of the hunting grounds. Because there is more effort on the Guide's part, the fee is higher (42% vs 30%); if the sportsman is not able to satisfy the guide chief, the sportsman is held for costs only and released. A subsequent application would be entertained. The fee for the activity on the 7 days is only $40,000 (US) simply to cover costs if the applicant failed.

Part 4.

a) The taking of females with cub or cubs is prohibited. The taking of older cubs or of Juveniles between 3 and 4 years is prohibited. The hunting guide chief's expertise and judgment are followed.

b) The maiming of a bear without killing it to the degree that it has to be sacrificed by the guide chief will cause forfeit of the entire animal to the native Guide Chief's subsistence quota.

b.1) Physical Contact with trophy to actual kill time is required to be within 60 minutes, so it is possible to wound an animal and have it bleed to death in less than one hour. This is not a desired "sporting" result. The intended Trophy's death will be ascertained by the Guide Team's Medical Officer. If the maimed animal is not dispatched by the sportsman within one hour of initiated physical contact, and is wounded to the degree it would have difficulty surviving, the bear may be sacrificed by the Guide Chief. The hunt for the visiting sportsman ends at this point, whether the sportsman is wounded seriously, killed or not. The desired sporting conclusion is to have a nice clean quick death the hunter can be proud of. Mercy killings after a failed initial encounter ends the hunt. (Polar bear kills of prey on average from video and films take in the neighborhood of 6.8 seconds.)

c) If the sportsman violates any of the rules and kills a bear too young or a female attached to cubs in "self defense" with his weapon of choice for the hunt, the hunt is over and the skin of the animal he killed will have to substitute as his trophy. The meat and carcass is turned over to the Guide Chief. Sufficient video will document the self defense claim.

d) If the sportsman kills a bear intentionally that is prohibited by these regulations; he will be found guilty on the basis of the Guide Chief's testimony and sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in a Canadian rehabilitation facility. There is no appeal from this determination, nor from sentence.

Section III

1. The applicant, even if he has his own team of sled-dogs will be required to use his native guide team's sled dogs. (Transnational border animal quarantines of 30 days would be needed -- and transfer of actual working ownership from the hunter sportsman to the native guide team would be necessary. For those reasons, sportsman furnished sled-dog teams are not allowed unless arrangements can be initiated well in advance.) The money-saving evaluation trip will be an opportunity for the hunter to enhance the skills of teamwork which was the traditional hunting approach for thousands of years, especially when stalking prey, like the Polar Bear, who is just as likely to stalk the hunter.

2. Energy saving hybrid powered aircraft, are not required for access to the initial hunt departure location for the $2,000,000(US) hunt, but $100,000(US) will be deducted from the fee for use of the Canadian solar battery powered Dirigible Aircraft company delivery vehicles. Otherwise all fees apply. This can occur only in the late spring hunt, where the sun is above and lights the horizon 24 hours a day -- usually a week after the sun has risen above the arctic circle.

3. Scotch Whiskeys NOT to be burned in stove or lantern:

Angus Dundee
Chivas Brothers
Dewar
Inver House
J & A Michell
Nikka Whiskey
Takara Shuzo
William Grant and Sons

Other prohibited Scotch products and brands may be added at the local level.

http://www.scotchwhisky.net/profile/index.htm

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These new rules should set a standard for sportsmen in America and around the world. The words sporting, sportsmanship and American Sportsman will now have a meaning that epitomizes what is "best" in the highest sense of the word.

NEW Science report puts extinction 30 years closer than anticipated. Your chance to obtain a polar bear trophy diminishes with each year. The reason?

Most students of the polar ice state the IPCC models are in error. Sea Ice vanishing and Sea Level rise will likely occur far sooner than the 18 models the IPCC uses. Below is a link to the report that the data observed is already more than one standard deviation (1 Sigma) from that predicted by the IPCC models. This means for polar bear, the time is now.

http://www.xomba.com/thirty_years_ahead_of_schedule_the_arctic_sea_ice_will_vanish_ipcc_current_models_too_conservative

What this means for the American Sportsman is that there exists now a real possibility that you can hunt the very last of this species with your grandchildren. Who knows when the hunting rules for this species will change again? The end for this species may be much nearer than any one thought, especially using the IPCC models. Don't miss the opportunity the new rules provide for obtaining a polar bear sports trophy for you grandchildren by hunting with them!

http://www.xomba.com/arctic_ice_vanishing

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The Humane Society of the United States believes all nonessential human exploitation of polar bears, such as capture for display or trophy hunting should be prohibited.

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/a_closer_look_at_marine_mammals/polar_bears/what_you_can_do_to_protect_polar_bears.html

http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=ECD35C36-1&xsl=dcsearch0602%2Cresult&xml=ECD35C36-D5D1-418F-A292-6AC0FC9F697F&collection=ECExternal&searchoffset=0&searchdisplaycount=10&searchtype=5&BATOp=&BATTerm=Any&searchstring=Polar+Bears&searchlanguage=En

http://www.ec.gc.ca/science/sandefeb03/a1_e.html

(Excerpt)
In the barren lands of snow and ice, further north than many Canadians have ever trekked, is the world of the polar bear — a large, white hunter, dependent on the Arctic sea ice.

An estimated 25 000 polar bears live throughout the circumpolar Arctic within the jurisdiction of five countries: the United States, Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway and Russia. Each signed the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and Their Habitat in 1973, in an effort to protect this endearing symbol of the north. The agreement states that "each Contracting Party shall take appropriate action to protect the ecosystems of which polar bears are a part, with special attention to habitat components such as denning and feeding sites and migration patterns, and shall manage polar bear populations in accordance with sound conservation practices based on the best scientific data."

As the home to about two-thirds of the world's polar bears, Canadians share a large responsibility to protect this species.

From Wikipedia:

"In 1973, Polar Bear hunting was regulated by The International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears (also known as the Oslo Agreement), which was signed by the five nations whose Arctic territory is inhabited by polar bears: USA, Canada, Norway, Greenland and Russia (then the USSR). This placed restrictions on recreational and commercial hunting (and completely banned hunting from aircraft and icebreakers)."

"Since 1973, Norway has had a complete ban on polar bear hunting. USA, Greenland, Russia and Canada allow hunting by the indigenous people, on the basis that it is part of indigenous culture. In all of these except Canada, this is the only polar bear hunting allowed.

"Canada, which has the largest polar bear population, allows limited recreational hunting. Recreational hunters pay a substantial fee. In 2005 the Government of Nunavut increased the quota to 518 bears, despite protests from some scientific groups. In 2005 about 50 of that quota was sold to recreational hunters, the rest being hunted by the indigenous Inuit people. The Government of the Northwest Territories maintain their own quota of 72 - 103 bears within the Inuvialut communities of which some are set aside for sports hunters.

Recreational Polar bear hunting is criticized by many groups as being cruel and unnecessary. They also argue that the species is too vulnerable to allow recreational hunting.

Defenders of it argue that the hunting provides economic benefits to the local communities. Opponents counter that the economic benefits are too negligible to be taken into the equation.

The following is from a group of people who want to continue hunting the bear on its way to extinction:

Think of the trophies! Hunters have a right to kill them before they all die and go extinct!

http://www.animalrights.net/archives/year/2005/000362.html