Yellowknife (Oct 22/04) - The territorial government should give people a break when it comes to shooting bears and carrying firearms while working in the bush, says North Slave MLA Henry Zoe.

Two men attacked by a grizzly bear near the abandoned Colomac Mine site last month is evidence the government isn't doing enough to protect people while working outdoors, he said.

"It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Sadly, it'll only be a matter of time before something like this happens again," said Zoe in the legislative assembly Wednesday.

Zoe was troubled to hear officials with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development -- who are responsible for clean-up operations at the mine -- were aware a grizzly bear was skulking around near the camp in the days leading up to the attack.

Yet, the men were not allowed to carry firearms with them when they went out that day to conduct water level surveys.

Zoe said hunting bears for food and clothing was once a common practice among aboriginal people in the North but tougher restrictions in recent years have put a chill on that.

"Now you call up (Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development) every time we shoot a bear and justify it," said Zoe.

"They take away the carcass. I don't even know what they do with it."

In fact, the hunter can keep the meat, but the hide must be turned in to wildlife officials, according to RWED spokesperson Judy McLinton.

Zoe also criticized a bear safety video put out by RWED because it isn't available in aboriginal languages.

RWED Minister Brendan Bell promised to look into the matter with the video and find out exactly what sort of bear safety information is available to outlying communities.

"We need to make sure people understand the material or else it's of no use," said Bell.

If grizzly bear attacks are on the rise, as Zoe claims, it is likely because there are more people working out in the barrenlands than ever before, Bell said.

There are no rules preventing people from defending themselves against a bear attack, he said.

"If you're attacked by a grizzly, obviously you can kill it," said Bell.