The campaign targeted the sensitive British Columbia tourist industry by spreading misinformation in the UK, through advertising and billboards, portraying the British Colombians as uncivilized people, willing to hunt the beleaguered grizzly to extinction. Instant experts were trotted out to undermine the credibility of the Province’s wildlife scientists, and introduce doubt in the minds of politicians and urban- based "environmental" organizations. An advertising campaign was targeted at urban residents in southern British Columbia and carefully concealed from communities in rural areas. As in warfare, the most critical help for the campaign came from within. Recently appointed Environment Minister Ian Waddell had made it clear he thought the bear season should be closed. Within a short time of his appointment to the environment portfolio, the campaign was underway. Mr. Waddell played a prominent role in pushing the moratorium through cabinet and government caucus.

The grizzly bear story is familiar to many sustainable users of natural resources throughout the world. Using tactics honed on sealers, whalers and trappers, animal rights organizations now have the future of sport hunting clearly in their sights. A similar campaign resulted in a ban on spring black bear hunting in the Province of Ontario two years ago. After several furtive attempts by an alliance of animal rights and naturalists groups to close the season, financing was offered by the Robert Schad Foundation, and a renewed effort coordinated by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Applying the expertise IFAW has gained in political advocacy around the world, the ban on the spring black bear hunt was easily achieved.

IFAW and other familiar animal rights groups are at the fore of the anti- hunting movement at every level around the world. At a local meeting in a town hall near Ottawa, Ontario, IFAW showed up in force to prevent the opening of a special season to harvest over- abundant deer. Once again they brought forward their well- conditioned "wildlife experts" to argue the absurd in wildlife management. In the UK, IFAW is applying their expertise to rally public support and create the political leverage needed to close down the traditional fox hunt. A massive rally is being planned for March 18, by the Countryside Alliance, a group of well- organized rural interests, who will be marching on London in support of hunting and other rural traditions.

It is simply staggering to consider the depth of resources available to animal rights organizations such as the IFAW, to wage a war on hunting and sustainable users of wildlife at every level throughout the world. On the other hand, hunters and traditional wildlife users are becoming more aware and active in defense of their traditions. A rally in support of hunting by the Countryside Alliance drew 400,000 protesters to London last year, and the story of the grizzly is far from over. The key lesson in the case of British Columbia’s grizzly, is to understand human behavior and the ancient principles of warfare, underlying the tactics of animal rights organizations. Sustainable users must counter these with new strategic alliances of capable forces, to fore- warn and defend the interests of wildlife users, rural and indigenous peoples throughout the world.