07-21-2014, 09:59 PM
Joe don't get your panties in a bundle, the boys were instructed on bear safety and were practicing it for the most part. However, when they were cleaning fish they failed to get the entrails taken care of and they floated to the edge of the lake by our camp. The bears picked up on them and cleaned them up. The fish robbery was unexpected, we were preparing to cook the fish for dinner and while we were getting ready the bear rolled in and stole the fish in full daylight. Could we have done better, yes we could have cooked in a location away from camp but that isn't practical. I suspect you're not a back packer or a youth leader from your comments. We have successfully had youth camps for 23 years and this was the first time bears have come to visit. Will we do things different in the future, yes we won't clean the fish anywhere close to camp, did we create trouble bears, no, these guys had this routine down from past groups. Are you ready to have me removed as an advisor? If so there will be a lot of disappointed boys that won't get an experience of a lifetime. Am I worried of your Forest Service or BSA threats, no I've been working closely with both groups and they understand wilderness situations. Does this give Utah scouts a bad rap, I doubt it, we dealt with the situation, had a great time and left things better than we found them by packing out trash others left behind. Sorry not sucking into your rants. Jeff
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