Just recieved this by email regarding the man being charged for shooting a grizzly bear in his yard near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
A 4-H Market Animal Sale to remember
August 20, 2011
By Mike Weland
newsbf.com
In E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web,” Charlotte the spider extolled the virtues of Wilbur, calling him “some pig,” in an attempt to save him from the butcher's block.
Had Charlotte been at the fair barn during the 4-H Market animal sale Friday evening, she’d have run out of both web space and words to extol the virtues of Jasmine Hill’s 4-H swine, Regina, who sold 15 times, raising a record $19,558, and who in the end was returned to Jasmine.
Like many in attendance, Charlotte would have probably stopped even trying and, like so many who were there, have given in to tears.
It was the way this community showed its support to the family of a man who stood up to defend his wife and six children by killing one of three grizzly bears that wandered into his yard May 8, and is now facing federal charges for doing so.
“There are a lot of people who stand behind Jeremy and his family and we’ve been talking for awhile about what we could do to show our support,” said Rob Pluid. “We’re all in the same boat … this could have happened to anyone. The fact that he’s willing to protect his family in spite of a federal law speaks highly of Jeremy, and we want him to know we’ve got his back.”
None of the people who planned the show of support dreamed it would take off like it did.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Rob said. “I’ve been buying market animals for 14 years and my kids have been selling for 18, and I’ve never seen anything take off like that.”
Rob does, however, feel sorry for Jasmine’s younger brother, Cameron, 11, who also had a swine in the sale.
“We knew we could only pull something like this off once,” Rob said, “so we decided to wait for the second pig. We sure didn’t want to steal Cameron’s thunder.”
Regina, weighing in at 254 pounds, brought an initial bid of $4.50 a pound by Fodge Mill, raising $1,143. Fodge turned her, offering her for resale, and she sold a second time, and a third …
Fodge, North Idaho Energy Logs, Pluid Logging, South Hill Lockers, Three Mile Café, Chante’ Kramer, Oxford, the Bennett Brothers, Akins Harvest Foods, Escrow Inc., a second time for Three Mile Café, ESCO, a second time for Oxford, and a final time for Chante’ Kramer, who gave Regina back to Jasmine. And then Dr. Mark Barker quietly matched the $5 a pound price she settled at, after rising to $6 early in the process.
Jeremy Hill, who faces up to a year in prison, a $50,000 fine and loss of hunting privileges if convicted, knew there were a lot of people who expressed support, but he confessed he was shocked at the form it took Friday evening.
“It’s pretty incredible,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it was going on. It’s overwhelming the amount of support.”
It must have been dusty in the sale barn, as he had to step outside while the bidding went on and on and on to wipe away a few tears, and there were many who watched the outpouring of support who had to wipe a few sniffles as well.
“I’m not sure what’s going on here,” the auctioneer said, “but I can tell it’s something pretty special.”
“It’s hard to see the stress this family is under because of this,” Pluid said. “Jeremy’s been working 15 and 16 hour days since this happened and it doesn’t look like he’s slept for a month. In my mind, this situation is a lot different than if someone had gone out looking for a bear or someone who mistakes a person for a bear. A bear in your yard, especially a sow and two cubs, is no different than an intruder in your home. That family was in danger, and Jeremy did what he had to do, plain and simple.”
Readers' comments about this article
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I have got say kudos to the people of Boundary County for sticking up for Jeremy. I think what the Fish and Game is doing to the man for protecting his property and his family is wrong. It makes me think that Big Brother is flexing his muscles and making an example just to prove a point. I for one would have done just what Jeremy did. I am behind Jeremy 100%. If I had the money I would have been bidding on the hog myself.
Kenny Corsi
Bonners Ferry
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This Community Rocks!!!
John Youngwirth
Bonners Ferry
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The community also should write a letter to show our support for him ... I have to say, I would have done the same thing if a grizz was on my property and Joey was in danger! Jail or no jail, family safety comes first.
Debra Hitch-Henderson
Ponderay
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Kudos to this wonderful town I live in, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. I'm busting with pride ... As I've said. when this town sees the need, they step up to the plate, whatever the need is. Great coverage, Mike ... Best Market Sale Ever!
Daisy Huggins
Bonners Ferry
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Spectacular!
Stacy Cooper
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Awesome story!
Sommer Kahanek
Bonners Ferry
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One of the many reasons why this is such an awesome community!
Lael Alexander
Bonners Ferry
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This is a wonderful story and another example of how our communities in Idaho come to the support of our fellow citizens. The story reports how the citizens in Boundary County raised over $18,000 to support the defense of Jeremy Hill, who shot one of three grizzly bears that were in his front yard where his young children were playing. Although Idaho Fish & Game recommended no charges be filed, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has filed felony charges against Jeremy, who was only protecting his family. Jeremy called Fish & Game immediately and his reward for protecting his family and doing the right thing by contacting authorities is charges by our US Government. I believe this to be unjust and, as demonstrated Friday night at the livestock sale at the Fair in Bonners Ferry, so do many in the community!
Idaho Senator Shawn Keough
Sandpoint
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Senator, thanks for sharing this great story of community support. Shame on you, US Fish & Wildlife Service!
Tiffany Dye
Sandpoint
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How many reasons does one need to say WE LIVE IN THE BEST COMMUNITY!! To the Hill family -- "We got your back!"
Rhonda Vogl
Bonners Ferry
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I'm going to repost your link for some friends who haven't been up there and just don't really get it ... maybe this will help open their eyes! Thanks!
Wendy Neumeyer
Spokane
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I miss it up there!
Melissa Shriver Cobb
Pinehurst, Texas
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So amazing what this communtiy does when someone is in need of help. That's why I live where I do.
Taunee Munson Pruitt
Bonners Ferry
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Here is "my take" on this whole issue. My Grandparents and even Great-grandparents were PAID to kill grizzly bears off. WHY? Because they kill people, never mind they also kill livestock. Any wild animal that has "caused problems" in the national park system gets dumped off here on us. THEN when they start up with the same actions we are supposed to not defend our own? So I am calling B.S. on this one. I hope the commissioners will call in more help on this issue. IT is NOT right.
Carrie Gibbs
Bonners Ferrry
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Great story. Thanks for posting!
Mike & Brianne Dirks
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I'm proud to be a resident of Bonners Ferry. The story of the sale of the pig brought tears to many eyes.
Lilajo
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So this is an $18,000 pig! Great job Boundary County! This story needs to go on the national news.
Allen Gemmrig
Bonners Ferry
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Proud of my hometown!
Martha McLeish Daniel
Bonners Ferry
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This is incredible and it is exactly why I choose to live in Bonners Ferry. I love our small community that supports each other in times of need!!
Rachel Ellis
Bonners Ferry
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I just read the article about the pig being auctioned over and over again at the Boundary County Fair to raise money for the Jeremy Hill family.
I would like to call upon the two US Senators from Idaho, Mike Crapo and James Risch, to stop the insanity at the US Fish & Wildlife Service and demand that the felony charges against Jeremy Hill be dropped immediately. Mr. Hill was protecting his family and any one of us would have done the same thing. If a Grizzly bear came into Camp David where the Obamas were staying and threatened his family, would the Secret Service stand idly by and not shoot the bear?
This is the Bonners Ferry, Idaho, I remember. A community that stands behind each other when there is trouble or gross injustice.
Don Rae
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Mike, the story about the support for Jeremy Hill and the unique community backing they are receiving is not only awesome, but heartwarming! I have sent the link to some of the talk shows and online news websites, and maybe some of them will pick it up and carry it nationwide. If something like this shows up on Rush Limbaugh, or Drudge, I think the government might start wondering if they want to pursue this case or not. Super great reporting...made me cry when reading it,too.
Yvonne LeBuhn
Harvest, Alabama
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I am proud of my hometown, the commissioners and the community for standing up for the Hill family! We are also behind them 100%! It is about time that we make people more important than animals ... not that we don't love animals ... but there are certain rights we should have above animals! You know?
Joleen Halford
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We have some of the most amazing people in this community. The support was overwhelming, and to top it off, after all that money raised those buyers sat in that arena and continued bidding and buying animals at amazing amounts.
Lisa Solt
Bonners Ferry
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That is great. We support Jeremy & his family 100%!
Cheryle Frederickson
Bonners Ferry
