Suspects DNR cover-up

May 10, 2008 08:01 pm

— Mr. Sawyers,
Early last week there was a large black bear dead on I-68 at Hillcrest Drive. It was a mess on 68 near the BP Station exit. I saw the bear at 7:30 a.m. while taking my daughter to school. At 9:30 a.m. my wife passed the same area and the carcass was gone. The DNR and the State Roads Department obviously did not want the morning commuters seeing the rare and elusive Maryland black bear smeared all over central Allegany County.
The article (Bear Watch, April 27) in Sunday’s paper said there have been no road kills this year? I guess the state does not want the residents of a highly populated residential neighborhood worried about a very large omnivore poking around their streets and backyards looking for a snack. Maybe this bear did not count as an official road kill because it was only half of a bear! The other half was stuck to some rig traveling westbound.
Once again we get the information that the state wants us to hear. Just like the stories of our region’s record deer kills, close buck to doe ratios and general health of the deer herd. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources gives the public information that fits their goals and needs. The truth is always in the best interest of the public, but not always in the best interest of our state agencies.
Mike Pannone
Cumberland