8 year old girl kills bear

[John Olexa]

YES FOLKS THEY TEACH THEM YOUNG TO KILL HERE IN MD


OAKLAND // It was a school morning, but Sierra Stiles wasn't gathering her books. Instead, in the pre-dawn blackness, the 8-year-old pulled on a camouflage shirt, pants and boots, and grabbed a high-powered hunting rifle.
The third-grader from Western Maryland had beaten out 1,992 applicants -- mostly men -- to be selected through a state lottery as one of only 200 to obtain hunting licenses for Maryland's second black bear hunt in a half-century.



Hiding with her father behind trees on her family's farm, Sierra used a .243-caliber rifle to shoot a 211-pound male black bear Monday morning, the first kill of the season, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In the end, the youngest and smallest hunter also proved to be the quickest to claim a trophy.



"I'm so proud of her," said Robert Harvey, 65, her great-uncle, who owns the farm in Kitzmiller where the bear was shot. "It's good to get these kids outside, so they can really learn."

Sierra's bear, which she plans to turn into a rug, was

one of 13 to be registered with game officers Monday at the Mount Nebo Wildlife Management Area just north of Oakland, with another two weighed-in at a state office in Frostburg. It was the first day of a season expected to last three or four days, or until at least 40 are killed, twice as many as last year, state officials said. The plan is to kill no more than 55 bears this year.

Barred in Maryland since 1953, black bear hunting was resumed last fall in Garrett and western Allegany counties by wildlife managers who concluded that the animals were no longer endangered, with at least 500 in the state. Animal-rights protesters filed a failed lawsuit last year to try to halt the hunt, and two activists marched in Annapolis Monday.

"Last year, the first bear killed was a cub, and this year, the first trophy hunter was an 8-year-old girl," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of the Humane Society of the United States. 'This is a terrible cruelty."

There is no minimum legal age for hunting in Maryland. But the state has never licensed a hunter younger than about 7 because all hunters must pass a nine-hour safety class, which includes a live-fire drill to prove they can safely carry, load and shoot, said Paul Peditto, director of wildlife and heritage services at the department.

Two of the first three hunters to bring in bears for weighing Monday were female. Overall, 46 out of 368 hunters (including the 200 permit holders and their companions) were female, or about 12 percent. A 9-year-old girl from Garrett County shot a 200-pound bear.

"Anywhere you go for hunting these days, you see a lot more women," said Tera Roach, a 23-year-old receptionist from Reisterstown who shot a 147-pound bear in Garrett County Monday.

Peditto said he was highly impressed by Sierra, who scored a 98 on her written hunter safety test.

"Some people are going to be curious about this young hunter, but her actions show she's safe, responsible and dedicated," Peditto said.



The day started early for Sierra, at 4:58 a.m. It was a cold, rainy, miserable morning on her family's Garrett County farm. Her mother shook her awake after setting an alarm for herself. Sierra said she hadn't been able to sleep much because she was so excited about the hunt.

After dressing in camouflage, she spooned down some cereal as her dog Jack bounded around the kitchen. Then she headed out with her father and his uncle. Before the sun rose, they hopped into her father's cherry-red Ford pickup and drove to the corner of a field. They hid behind trees.



As they waited in the rain, listening, Donald Stiles, a 28-year-old coal miner, thought about a wager he'd made with his daughter.

"We had a little bet that she'd get a bear and I wouldn't get one at all," he said. "After all, she was the one who got the license, and so I was hunting on her license."



Something large moved at the edge of the misty field.

My great-uncle saw "a big, dark shadow, but didn't know what it was," Sierra said. "But my dad knew it was a bear.



"I was surprised to see a bear in front of me," said Sierra, who stands about 4 1/2 feet tall and has long, sandy hair. "I froze up and I was scared, because bears will eat anything."

[rileystar04]

"Kids who hunt, trap, and fish, don't mug little old ladies"

[Pepsidoodle]

The whole idea of this is ludicrous but one thing is really bothering me; how can they justify 500 in number being not endangered? They plan on killing over one eighth of the population?! Who is in charge there?

[John Olexa]

"Kids who hunt, trap, and fish, don't mug little old ladies"

How do you know this? What a silly statement, hope your just trying to be funny and don't really believe that.
As a matter of fact, most serial killers started out (young) hunting, trapping and fishing

[John Olexa]

The whole idea of this is ludicrous but one thing is really bothering me; how can they justify 500 in number being not endangered? They plan on killing over one eighth of the population?! Who is in charge there?

C. Ronald Franks and I have butted heads with him before : Can't stand the SOB

[rileystar04]

No, most serial killers start out abusing animals. As in beating, neglecting, fighting them, etc.

http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/info/news/mar04/

http://hunting.about.com/library/weekly/aa000302a.htm

[stevends71]

As a matter of fact, most serial killers started out (young) hunting, trapping and fishing

Without support for this statement, it is just as silly as rileystars.

[Magnum]

This is very sad John.:( I just don't understand why a person would teach their child to kill, and for sport is even more pathetic. What's really sad is the bear is now a home decoration.:mad:

[Wolat]

i congratulate her on knowing how to properly use a deadly weapon like that and know how to use it safely... but 500 bears does not mean they are no longer endangered. it simply means they have a large population.

and it IS true that those that become serial killers/abusers/criminals can start out by abusing animals. its been studied and is well evidenced in court cases all over the country.

[rileystar04]

Abusing animals yes, that leads to serial killers. Hunting, trapping and fishing no, that doesn't lead to serial killers. It's those that beat animals, neglect them, fight them, kill them just because they want to watch something die, and so on.

[John Olexa]

Without support for this statement, it is just as silly as rileystars.

Oh well, guess were both silly LOL

Is Trophy Hunting a Form of Serial Killing?

http://www.bloodybusiness.com/trophy_hunting/patterson_02.html

[rileystar04]

John - I don't believe in hunting for the 'sport' of it. If you are actually going to use the animal for food, clothes, whatever, fine. But for trophies, no. Which is why I won't take my dog hunting like he's meant to do, because I have no use for duck or pheasant.

[John Olexa]

For food... I can understand (kinda) but not for clothes and not for trophies for sure!!!! Like this 8 year old's dads is going to do Use this once beautiful animal... as a rug ......
Just asking, you don't mind using them as clothes but how about this case as a rug? I guess what I'm trying to ask is do you have a problem with this girl killing this bear just for a rug?

[blueberrybun]

Well, hopefully they will eat the meat. Bear meat is not too uncommon to eat. I knew somebody when I was in high school who had bear meat in his freezer from a bear whose head was on his dad's wall. As long as this girl's family eats the bear and makes the kill worthwhile then I don't have a problem if they want to turn it into a rug.

[John Olexa]

All it says is "Sierra's bear, which she plans to turn into a rug".....

No where does it mention using it for food. You would think if they were it would have said so.

[Jake's Mom]

She should be taught to shot with a camera instead of a deadly weapon!

[John Olexa]

She should be taught to shot with a camera instead of a deadly weapon!

Now your talking ! lol Thats what I do:)

[JustJo]

She should be taught to shot with a camera instead of a deadly weapon!

I absolutely agree! Now there is one less bear to possibly capture with my camera. I never get to see them even though they are supposedly around. John do you know how many bear are up for being killed here in Virginia? I think it is a shame and a waste.

[John Olexa]

No I haven't heard... and scared to find out

[blueberrybun]

All it says is "Sierra's bear, which she plans to turn into a rug".....

No where does it mention using it for food. You would think if they were it would have said so.

Point taken.

[rileystar04]

I didn't read the whole thing, if she's only using it for a rug I don't agree with it. And I mean if they are going to use it for food, then they could maybe make clothes or something out of it as well, no use in letting anything go to waste. I do not support the fur industry don't get me wrong.

And I think it is important for everyone to know how to properly use a gun. We should be taught respect for such weapons. You wouldn't hear about kids accidentaly shooting eachother if they already knew how to use them.

[Squawksx3]

I think its very sad and tragic. And Im sorry.... but you wouldnt find a gun in my childs hands. I carried guns for employment and kept them at home locked in a safe when off duty.... I still have them and securely locked up. My daughter was/is not allowed to touch them. I have no problem when she's old enough and mature enough to learn to handle a gun if she wants to. I've seen children that know how to handle guns and shoot a person/child right on target.. where the bullet was meant to hit. Unless constantly supervised... which I hope this 8 yr old girl is .... children are not mature enough to be handling firearms... even if they know how. Thats like putting a child behind the wheel of a car and teaching them how to drive down the road so they know how to handle a car. Let them be children first for goodness sakes... they all grow up soon enough and have plenty of time for adult festivities if they choose to do so.

A rug..... shaking head

[rileystar04]

Actually on farms, lots of kids drive very young. Just not cars, tractors and things instead. I used to when I went to my uncle's orchard in the summers. And we'd shoot BB guns on the targets we had set up. I knew how to use a gun but never ever touched one unless I had permission. I guess if a kid can't follow those directions, their parents aren't strict enough.

[stevends71]

Is Trophy Hunting a Form of Serial Killing?



I would have to say that it is not far off.

If this girl and her family use this bear to supplement their food for the year, and use the skin, and find uses for every part possible, then I can't say that they are in the wrong. Not in my eyes. But, however, if she killed it just to make a rug out of the skin, then it IS wrong. I am not against hunting when the animal is used to its potential, but just for sport or "just because I can" is downright dumb. How many people that need a meal could be fed with the meat from that bear? Is that skin going to be used to cover the floor or to cover that little girls cold skin in the winter time? No, I do not agree with hunting a bear so that someone can make a rug or anything like that.

[Shockadine]

I think that's pretty sad to have an 8 year olds shooting animals for rugs. I don't think there's anything horribly wrong about teaching a child how to use a gun. I think I was only about 8 the first time I shot a gun, under close supervision of course. I was on a shooting range, shooting at targets not animals. I learned how to use a gun and hit my target, but I don't really see the lesson being taught to the girl that shot a bear to make a rug. I can use a gun quite well, and I never shot at a living thing.

[rileystar04]

Agreed, shock. I have shot guns, but I personlly couldn't ever shoot anything alive. I cried my eyes out the first time I ran over a squirrel on accident, I highly doubt I'll ever shoot something on purpose. ;)

[Squawksx3]

Even adults... with experience, training, and knowledge have misfired weapons and accidently shot themselves or others. Firearms do malfunction and nothing is safeproof. I understand some children are more mature than others.... and its a parents negligence that usually gets a child in trouble. Many have never intended to shoot/kill any living being but many have been shot and killed by "accidental" shootings. In my opinion.... guns should never be in the hands of a child.... or in some adults for that matter. If its ok to teach and let them handle guns in the presence of a responsible adult... whats to say they wont bring the gun out for "show and tell" for their friends... (afterall... its pretty kewl to handle a gun!) when adults arent around?. I've seen it happen. Very rarely does a child listen and obey their parents 100% of the time... and since they know how to handle a gun... whats the problem!. Im sorry... I've seen what a high caliber handgun can do to human brains and its not pretty.... one was a 15 yr old girl just last year.

Jumping off my band wagon now :D

[John Olexa]

People in that part on MD are not poor. you won't find a house in Western Maryland for under $150,000 Hunting up there is a big time "sport" as they call it. They have running bets all the time who gets the biggest rack during deer season, theres contest they can enter. ect, ect,Yeah they eat the meat (Blah) but To them it's 95% sport.

Jan I understand where your coming from. One day 7 years ago my dad went out to the garage with his favorite 12 gauge, put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger. I've seen what it can do to.

One thing I don't understand though, and I don't know anything about the type gun she used, but was there no kick??? I have shot a shotgun before at a target range, and had a pretty good kick to it. also fired a 44 magnum that was pretty cool though LOL talk about a kick! thought it broke my wrist the first time ( being macho) I didn't use my other had to hold my wrist. I did after that! LOL but anyway, didn't that gun this 8 year old use kick?

[Squawksx3]

Oh John.. I am so so sorry :( .

Hiding with her father behind trees on her family's farm, Sierra used a .243-caliber rifle to shoot a 211-pound male black bear Monday morning, the first kill of the season, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In the end, the youngest and smallest hunter also proved to be the quickest to claim a trophy.

She used a .243 caliber rifle. Rifles dont have the kick high caliber handguns do... unless they have short barrels. Some will give you a pretty purple bruise on the shoulder... but if positioned and handled right they wont do anything. It sickens me they quote about her being the youngest, smallest and quickest to claim the "trophy"..... its not because they're poor and need food and clothes. Wonder how the macho he-man hunters feel about a little "girl" outshooting them. Its actually proven that women have a steadier aim and can out-shoot men :p

44 Mags are a "kick" aren't they LOL .

[ABYLOVER]

I just think it is wrong to hunt any animal for fun or sport.

[mom2bichons]

I have to throw my two cents in. At 8 years old I was shooting guns. Not at anything live and still never have. My father thought it was important to teach me and my brother how to defend our selves in every situation. We shot at targets and sometimes cans on a fence. We were also very schooled in the fact of how to respect weapons, how to clean them etc. My father also wanted to make sure that we knew how dangerous they are to handle. It is not something that we took lightly. My dads brother was shot when his gun misfired and he was killed. My dad said he was never taught the proper way to handle the guns just how to use them. So I guess he had two objectives in mind.

Now I do not agree for this little girl to be out hunting. My daughter is 8 and not only has she never touched a gun I am not sure if she really has seen one. I can not imagine how I would have felt to be taken out so young and actually shoot something. I remember the feeling I would get just watching the people drive around with them in their trucks. It was aweful.

[nick225]

wow. an 8 year old shooting a bear. thats some good hunting.:)
i wish i was that good.
have enough trouble nailing squirrels. a bear, now thats just nice.
She must have some real good parents.

[John Olexa]

Dude, Are you in the right forum?? So far you have killed something in all your replys. That don't go well here.

[Squawksx3]

Another lost soul looking for attention John :rolleyes: . We have so many hit and run trolls... they post, then leave.... not staying around to chat.


Hey John... I dont know anything about bears.... but 211 lbs seems awefully small to me. Are black bears usually that small?. Are male bears usually larger than females?. Sheeesh.... 211 lbs is what my hubby weights. Just wondering......

[John Olexa]

Yeah really LOL pretty bad to admit that an 8 year old is better then you at anything LOL

211, is not big for a bear. I got a site for anything :D

http://www.bearbiology.com/bbdesc.html

[Squawksx3]

Thx!!!..... I always thought bears were big and weighed about 500 lbs hahahahaha... guess I watch too many movies :o .