American flags and automatic bear traps

What a great week on the North Fork. The Fourth of July parade was a big success, with some resident-created floats, lots of American flags and handsome kids on unicycles leading the whole thing.

I thought that the Flintstones-type car manned by Neanderthals was the most innovative and original, but enjoyed The North Fork Birds, too. Especially the Big Breasted Nuthatch, The Old Crow and The Snow Bird. Actually, now that I think about it, they were all great - even the bird watcher who was following them.

To make the parade complete, there was good music and Caldwell's vintage car. What more do you need on the Fourth? American flags, vintage car and cute kids. In addition, there was a prayer for our servicemen and their families - past, present and future.

Also this week was the Bear Fair in beautiful downtown Polebridge, which was funded in part by a Forest Service Resource Advisory Committee grant. As a member of the RAC committee, I did not get to vote for this grant, and when it was passed I thought it should be held at Sondresen Hall for the benefit of local residents. I was wrong on both counts.

Tim Manley, from "Furs, Fins and Feathers," was the presenter and is known to most North Forkers. He gave a talk with outstanding videos and still pictures explaining how the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks manages bears and the tools they use. The presentation included valuable information for anyone who ventures into bear country, even old, fat columnists who think they already know how to live in bear country. Tim's presentation was interesting, informative and educational for everyone.

One of their new tools is a one-of-kind automatic bear trap. Financed by a gift of money - no tax dollars involved - the trap sends an e-mail by cell phone or satellite to a base station anytime the trap catches something. The operator can then go online to view what is in the trap.

If it is not what the trap was set for, the signal is sent to open the door and release the unwanted victim. This is real handy when a skunk is caught. The trap can be reset if the bait is intact. Since bear traps need to be checked at least daily, the remote cameras can and do save hundreds of man-hours and thousands of dollars in gas driving to remote areas.

Also, while most people have bear spray, it is also important to know how to use it. When you spend $30 or more, you don't usually fire practice shots. At the Bear Fair, the pepper spray folks had canisters with only propellant so folks could be taught how to use it and actually fire one for themselves.

More than 200 people signed in at the Bear Fair. Many were locals, and many were visitors. We should do it again, and it should be held in Polebridge. What do you think? Also, many thanks to the organizations that added cash contributions and volunteer time to make the Bear Fair a success and supplement the RAC grant. Many thanks, too, to Terence McClelland and his helpers for organizing the whole thing.