I have resolved to do something because I cannot accept that fact that black bears have no legal protection in Iowa. In 2009 a black bear was killed in north-central Iowa for no justifiable reason. Several black bears have been sighted in 2010 and I predict this is but a taste of the future. Black bears will continue to migrate into Iowa and regretfully they will be killed, just because a person can. I am less upset at the person doing the killing than our elected leaders for allowing this.

Therefore, I will be hand-delivering letters to our Governor and select legislators to end the wanton destruction of black bears and afford them protection. I will be traveling to our Capitol on August 10^th and I would love to take bags of your letters with me.

When your write the governor ask him to issue an immediate moratorium on the un-authorized killing of black bears. When you write the legislators ask them to make the black bear a game species and managed under the direction of the DNR.

Include your name and address in the letters so your can receive return letters from your officials. Send all your letters in an envelope to me and I will take the collection to Des Moines for personal delivery. Margaret Mead said a small group of dedicated people can change the world. I believe we can change this small but import part of ours.

Elected Officials:

- Governor Chet Culver

- Rep. Paul Bell, Chair Natural Resources Comm.

- Sen. Dick Dearden, Chair Natural Resources Comm.

- Rep. Kraig Paulsen, Minority Leader

- Sen. Paul McKinley, Minority Leader

I am not asking for donations. I will not compile a database of those of you who send letters. I will acknowledge on this blog by first name and town those who do send letters. August 10^th is coming soon, so take 15 minutes to write and make a difference.

-John