Columbia Bear Board

Hon. Ed Waggener,

Wildlife Editor

122 E. Fortune Street,

Columbia, KY 42728

Dear Ed,

As you know, Spring is here and as typical with this time of year the bear activity has increased dramatically. The bears have emerged from hibernation and are busy feeding on grass and foliage to reestablish their digestive system, a fact with which I am sure you are familiar. As soon as this biological process is taken care of they will move into thicker cover to feed on insects, grubs, small mammals, carrion and the occasional hiker. At that time they become much harder to monitor. That is why I am on a more rigid spotting schedule. I am sure that even with your own busy schedule you are on a similar watch pattern.

While traveling to the Green County area of Grab on Friday, April 2, I was running close time-wise for an appointment when i noticed a green field to my left with some large black objects, not consistent with the landscape, and realized that this was typical bear feeding territory for this particular time of year. I quickly braked to a stop and was fortunate to snap a couple of quick photos of what appears to be a sow bear with cubs in one frame and probably the boar bear in the other. My schedule as well as the traffic coming from behind me forced me into a much speedier exit to this exciting moment that I wished for, but I am certainly grateful for the opportunity I did have to quickly observe this spectacle.

I am sure that this will stimulate the post hibernation drive in yourself and other Bear Board members as, quite frankly, I have been disappointed to note have not been near as active or enthused as would be expected.

I send these photos for your use (as Wildlife Editor of the Bear Board) as you see fit. If there are any questions concerning the authenticity of them, please remind any doubting Thomases that I am not only a qualified field photographer, but I have killed more bears than any other living native Adair Countian, a title that I do not expect to be challenged in my lifetime. Remember, Bo knows baseball, John knows bears.

Sincerely,

Johnny M. Vaughn

Bear Board member

since 1997

(NOTE: The photos in question have a look of absolute authenticity. They will remain on file at the BRBB Headquarters and may be seen on demand by contacting me. -Ed.)

Dear

Eddie,

I tho-ught that BRBB members got free subscriptions.

Now I know what Pro Bono means.Just kidding. Hope all is well.

Kenny Davis

Dear Cousin Ed,

My official BRBB report is: zero sightings in Alexandria, VA. But the Washington Post carries a disturbing report that black ursus are being killed in the wilds of Virginia so that their body parts can be ground into oriental medicines.

I can only hope that the wild bears of Adair County are not being similarly slaughtered. I also enclose a Los Angeles Times report of God-fearing Americans fraternizing with the wild Russian bear. Now if these are in fact the same Russian bears we grew up fearing would attack at any moment, we are indeed in grave peril.

Please give my best to your family and all the faithful BRBB'ers. I will continue my watch here.

Yours,

Cusin Russ (Walker)

323A Laverne Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22305

(NOTE: The Bear Board is fortunate to have you on the national watch. It is always comforting to get news from off. There will be more on the Russian bear in the next issue when we hear from Mr. Pat Bell who came in personal, up close, contact and brought home an official report. -Ed.)