We’ve had a Sept opener here for my entire life, until recently. I’ve never shot a bear in August til this last season. Always too hot to mess with them. Last season we had a break in the heat, and my schedule allowed it, so I shot one mid August. Plenty bears so I went out four more evenings. Saw 7 bear total, counting cubs. Shot another bear first week in Sept.
Again I am not an August guy, but if the resource can support the harvest, we need to make that resource available to the public. Not to rely on the government to cull, and waste, nuisance bears. From a big picture view, the mule deer could sure use some relief from growing predator pressure.
Now, when we are offered an extension on the tail end of bear season, that is a red herring. I’ve been told by a bio, that 70 % of bears are in the den by Oct 15th. From my obsevations through the years, I think this is accurate.
Main thing is folks, no matter what hoops we are forced to jump through, get out and kill some bears.
