Seems to me that if the timber companies want damage bears killed through wdfw then no charge should be applied. Make the *censored*s do it themselves if they want to charge to hunt. Just my opinion....
+1 on that!
The way I understand it, from a conversation with the wdfw (cannot remember the guys name) , but he was in charge of the program.
The timber companies are (were) happy with hiring their own "control specialists", but due to pressure from hunters and the DNR the WDFW thought they would begin a "pilot" program to see if a spring season would work.
By forcing the private timber companies (reluctantly) to comply by limiting their depredation permits unless they offered access for these hunts.
The timber companies have little faith in the effectiveness of "boot hunters" and feel that hound and baiting is more effective (and legal by permit) so are not as cooperative as they would be if it was their idea.
They are being forced to offer the hunts by the WDFW.