Letter: Bear-proof food boxes not needed

Dear Editor:

I just read the article in The Western News about the Kootenai National Forest’s plan to install the “bear-proof food boxes” (Jan. 29 edition) throughout the forest.

I’ve lived here for 55 of my 56 years and over the years, being somewhat of an outdoors man, I’ve experienced uninvited critters, including bears, in my camp from time to time. Of course, this is a bit of a nuisance but by no means a crisis – thanks to the Second Amendment.

Let me zero in on the point. The box can’t lock in the odor of the hot dogs, right? OK, so when the bear gets there and can’t get the food, he turns his attention to the hot dog you’re holding, or maybe to your kid. Who wants that? Of course, none of us do.

Bears are a lot like us. Think of how you feel when you spend the time to travel to your favorite restaurant only to find it closed. You get a little irritated, right? Well so do they.

The bottom line is this – if a bear is coming to your camp, you better be ready to share. And if you’re wise, you’ll be packing the proper hardware. We don’t need to waste money on bear boxes. I think it could be better spent teaching those who don’t know how to handle firearms and protect themselves and their families.

Bob Creighton

Libby