Treadwell Story at Cabelas

[nativetexan]

Ok, I know in the past I have frequented a few other boards where the subject of Timothy Treadwell has turned rather heated. For those of you who don't know, Timothy Treadwell was the individual that often broke the laws of the National Park system in order to film, document, and share his stories while living amongst grizzly bears in Alaska. He was killed, along with his girlfriend, when the bears faced a food shortage and attacked and for lack of a better term, ate the two. He has been criticized for his behavior and activism by sportsmen, biologists, and the NPS as sending the wrong message to the public about human contact with wildlife.

To make a long story short, I am in Phoenix right now and there is a Cabelas. Today I went just to look around and pick up something for my boys. I was looking at a video rack, and there it was, a movie about Timothy Treadwell on the shelf. So I am thinking to myself, why would Cabelas even entertain selling a movie about this individual? Is this one of those "know your enemy" type things or what? Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things but I was just wondering what your thoughts were..

[aksheephuntress]

...Yes, I can see where you are coming from...and totally understand why you would wonder why anyone(esp. a business like Cabelas..) would ever seemingly "promote" a film like that, about that idiot Treadwell...

-But- you know....it probably is a money maker...and I have watched it, and have had my kids watch it, as a great example of "what NOT to do"!...-LOL

-I just look at it all as comic relief.....and besides...there is some really good bear footage in there-

-I think he got away with not getting eaten for as long as he did...because he acted and sounded so ODD to the bears, that they probably figured that he was "bad meat".

[RangerClay]

Thank you very much Native Tex!! Over the last couple years here on the forums I have made mention of that pile of bear poo but I never knew his name until today.

I would shoot Cabelas an email or a phone call and ask them why they are selling this video. If you get a response please shoot me a PM. I would really like to hear their answer.

[98chevy]

I actully worked for a man who had to research that attack. We had extremmly long talks on it. I feal in one way its good to show the video That proves you have to respect bears and no matter how well you know them you cant screw with them. Wathcing the film with my old boss we would discuss what bears could have done it etc. It was very intresting

[stevebeilgard]

i hope everyone realizes that the idiot mentioned, and his shack up, were responsible for the death of two perfectly good grizzly bears. brown bears, actually, as it was within 100 miles of the ocean.

[Ravin R10 man]

good 'ol snackwell....video should be entitled..:How to become a GRIZZLY'S Entree'

[aksheephuntress]

i hope everyone realizes that the idiot mentioned, and his shack up, were responsible for the death of two perfectly good grizzly bears. brown bears, actually, as it was within 100 miles of the ocean.

....Yes,SteveB.-This is a very good point.....makes me look at it differently, now...

[Adjam5]

I too am surprised Cabelas would promote a moron like Treadwell . They need people to contact them and voice opposition to promoting that junk.

Some of his footage was good, but at what risk?

[nativetexan]

I emailed them asking what was up. Highly doubt I will get any kind of worthy response, but we'll see. I don't believe that no matter how good the footage, or what he learned, that interacting with them in such a manner holds any educational value. Even if it is what not to do. But that is just my personal opinion. I would never give any credit to him simply because he broke the law by being where he was after being repeatedly cited, and as previously stated, his carelessness resulted in the deaths of them and the two bears unnescessarily. Truth is, he was a reformed drug addict that used nature to heal himself, unfortunately he had no guidance or common sense. To be so pompous and arrogant enough to think that he was educating the world about bears after repeatedly being told that what he was doing was illegal and down right stupid, is well, stupid. It's also a stark reminder that animal rights activists will stop at nothing to personify such a dangerous animal and tell the world "see, cute and cuddly, we can all hold hands and paws and live together in harmony." Foolish. But this is not a new discussion, and I hate to even bring it up. Just been thinking about it for a while, so I thought I would get some inputs.

[Swamphunter]

I feel bad even when idiots lose their lives to anything because of the sorrow to the people left behind that care for them. In this case though Treadwell often bordered on harassing these bears, and when they tired of his antics, and the hunger got the better of them...they got they better of "him".

I think the chick was just a cover-up also....

[camoman1]

I like to watch animals as much as anybody else (even when not hunting), but that guy obviously belonged in the nut house not out making friends with " Mr. Chocolate". I saw the film, i found his antics entertaining although they far exceeded any kind of reason. And i dont feel bad for the guy one bit...you play with fire, your going to get burned.

And i also agree that this nonsense should not be " promoted" by Cabelas or any other pro hunting company. Can you imagine if that was any one of us out there hunting and we broke all those park laws and what not...?? The anti's would have a field day with it!!