Quote Originally Posted by hammer03 View Post

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. But when they specifically mention it as something that "animals" doesn't apply to, I see the rancher having a hard time arguing it.

Next time, shoot the bear, and run the DOW folks off the property. Problem solved.
The difference is it does NOT apply to pets, dogs, etc. It DOES apply to livestock. Sheep also have the highest depredation rate of any livestock, as they fight back very little compared to a Mtn Lion of Blk Bear. Since sheep are livestock, and the bear poses a real danger to the sheep, game on, IMHO.