sow with cubs

[littlebuf]

if you were to shoot a sow and then realized she had cubs what do you do? what does the state say you do? i know we all make sure before you pull the trigger, and i make damn sure i know what im shooting at before i pull the trigger, but what if the cubs are hidden even after you've watched the sow for what you deem long enough to be sure? i would have to find the cubs and kill them i think, that would at least be better than starving to death. but is that how were supposed to handle it?

[scoyoc5]

I highly doubt that trying to find the cubs and shooting them is the right thing to do...

[gasman]

Correct me if i am wrong, but it is not illeagal to kill a sow, only not recomended.

I would let the cubs be, if i was in the situation.

"You can not call back the bullet".

[littlebuf]

I highly doubt that trying to find the cubs and shooting them is the right thing to do...

let them starve then 

[300rum]

You don't let them starve, you take them home and raise them.  Like that old show, gentle ben.   

[stumprat]

Is this a hypothetical post or did you shoot a sow with cubs???

[littlebuf]

this is hypothetical, me and my dad were discussing it yesterday 

[Abolt338]

You kick yourself, take care of the bear you killed, and you let the cubs take their chance with nature.

It would be VERY illegal to shoot the cubs (I.E. take a second bear without a tag), and you're only guessing that these cubs will starve.  They might starve, they might get eaten, and they might just survive.  Sounds like their only odds at survival depend upon you NOT shooting them illegally.

RW

[fishermanjoe]

I will leave names out, but I was told by some game officers that legally don't shoot them, but in their own opinion they said shoot them and leave them, and dont tell anybody about it. I am lucky enough not to be placed in the situation where I would be considering to shoot a cub, and I hope I never will. I am guessing that their reasoning is that if the cubs do survive they might become problem bears and get a little to familiar with the suburbs, or cities.

[littlebuf]

I will leave names out, but I was told by some game officers that legally don't shoot them, but in their own opinion they said shoot them and leave them, and dont tell anybody about it. I am lucky enough not to be placed in the situation where I would be considering to shoot a cub, and I hope I never will. I am guessing that their reasoning is that if the cubs do survive they might become problem bears and get a little to familiar with the suburbs, or cities.

thats kinda the line of thinking i was taking, especially with a spring bear those cubs are little and will die any way

[bobcat]

I suppose the cubs' chance of survival would depend on whether they were first year cubs or 2nd year cubs. I would think that a 1 1/2 year old bear would have a good chance of surviving on its own.

[littlebuf]

yeah i guess i should have specified my hypothetical situation, first year cubs. which would really suck to kill a couple little teddy bears 

[robb92]

Can you or could you call the game department and let them know where the cubs are, would they come out to pick them up or what would they do with them because they are the states property.

Just asking a question. I agree with Bobcat, a 1 1/2 year old cub should be able to survive. a first year cub, I think it owuld depend on several things, weather amount of food in the area, predators.

[billythekidrock]

You kick yourself, take care of the bear you killed, and you let the cubs take their chance with nature.

It would be VERY illegal to shoot the cubs (I.E. take a second bear without a tag), and you're only guessing that these cubs will starve.  They might starve, they might get eaten, and they might just survive.  Sounds like their only odds at survival depend upon you NOT shooting them illegally.

RW

+1

Since they are born in the winter by hunting season they would be aprox. 3/4 of a year old or 1 3/4 years old by August.

The first year (3/4 year old) will have a very tough time but could survive depending conditions and available food sources. If you were concerend you could always go get a friend with a tag or buy a second tag. The young ones won't leave the area for a while and you could come back and find it.

The second year (1 3/4 year old) is basically a sub adult and will typically all ready be run off from mama by August. There would be no concern of this one surviving.

[bearmanric]

think how many have been shot. bear baiting and Hound Hunting you new when it was a sow. anti's said we killed to many sow's with cub's Lie. i guided bear baiting from 93 to 97. out of 42 bear's 3 were sow's 8 year old a 9 year old and a 1 3/4 year old. man i miss baiting. now people see a bear. they only have quick shot's it happen's alot. the little cub's wont make it. they just crie till some one shoot's them. Rick