Spring bear survey

[syoungs]

I opposed.

Same reasons already posted, loss of overall tags, need to have a spring bear season, and kapowsin needs to let hunters help with the problem, or not get to run dogs/bait, all while paying reduced taxes.

[pianoman9701]

From the Human Society of the US to Director Susewind. PDF attached:

September 19, 2019
Kelly Susewind, Director
Larry Carpenter, Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 43200
Olympia, WA 98504-3200
Re: Spring black bear (Ursus americanus) permits for 2019-2020
Dear Chairman Carpenter and Director Susewind:
On behalf of the Humane Society of the United States and our supporters in
Washington, we submit the following comments on Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife’s (WDFW’s) Proposed Rule on the spring black bear hunting season for
2020. Fig. 1. We oppose the proposed increases because of the risk of killing even more
female bears with newborn and dependent yearling young. According to multiple bear
biologists, spring hunts put females at risk, and also orphan cubs and occur when bears
are physically distressed after months of starvation; hunting vulnerable bears is not
only cruel, it is not in keeping with Washingtonians’ values.
1. Springtime bear hunts are cruel and should be abandoned
Springtime black bear hunts are problem plagued. Despite WDFW’s best intentions,
hunters kill nursing mothers, which orphans cubs leaving them to suffer from
starvation, predation, or exposure.1 Also, spring hunts occur when bears are physically
stressed from months of not eating—when they are literally in a starving state. In
springtime, bears are in “declining physical condition” and are especially vulnerable to
hunter “harassment,”2 which Washington permits to forestall tree damage. Springtime
hunting may cause damage to roads, including causing siltation in streams, or harm to
vulnerable ungulate and other wildlife populations.3 Most Americans do not want
wildlife cruelly treated, and most want black bears protected, and surprisingly, even if
they have attacked someone.4... (continued, see PDF attached)

Have people entirely lost the ability to make factual statements and back them up with legitimate proof? According to multiple biologist, who are these people and what are their credentials? Most Americans want to protect dangerous black bears who've attacked people? Where is the proof to back that ridiculous statement? They might as well have written, "Dear WDFW, stop being big meanies to bears cause we don't like it".

It was mainly the HSUS that spread misinformation and spent $1m in 1996 which lead to the initiative which banned hounding and baiting. Did you expect them to change their tactics now? These people will end hunting by any means necessary, including lies. It's the expressed goal of their organization.

[Jpmiller]

I responded neuteral. Don't like seeing Kapowsin leave (possibly outside wdfw control) and wish they'd added more Cascade and ne tags but commented I did like seeing an increase in SE tags.

[ctwiggs1]

kapowsin needs to let hunters help with the problem, or not get to run dogs/bait, all while paying reduced taxes.

So very, very true.

[HillHound]

kapowsin needs to let hunters help with the problem, or not get to run dogs/bait, all while paying reduced taxes.

So very, very true.

[pianoman9701]

kapowsin needs to let hunters help with the problem, or not get to run dogs/bait, all while paying reduced taxes.

So very, very true.

Kapowsin will do exactly what our government allows them to do. The WDFW needs to put pressure on these big landowners to use hunters to solve their problems or not issue the permits. Good for them and good for us.