Scout Leaders Lost Chance at a Lesson

Scout leaders Ron Roach and Bob Woodard missed an excellent opportunity to show Boy Scouts by example how to begin acting like men (“No Prosecution for Scout Leaders Who Stoned Bear,” Oct. 1).

They could have stood up and claimed responsibility for the needless death of a 1 1/2-year-old black bear. How does the motto go, “Be Prepared”? They and the Scouts obviously weren’t. If the bears as reported were “pulling food down from trees,” the food was not stored properly. I have been very fortunate in the past when backpacking in “their home” to come across a mom and her cubs, or to be visited at night by a bear looking for an easy meal.

Our food, or anything that remotely smells like food--even mint floss--is properly stored out of their reach. The bears, which are not aggressive, lose interest quickly and move on.

Hopefully, the Scout leaders not only will have learned from this, but will pass it on to others.

BARCLAY WILSON

Dana Point