Did you notice the new bear hunting rules?

[Alan K]

I think the rule is ridiculous and punitive over honest mistakes. I don't know of anyone who would shoot a sow knowing that it had first year cubs.  That said, I can easily see someone being in the heat of the moment and giving it all of 5 seconds before deciding a bear doesn't have cubs and taking the shot. There will absolutely be times now where a bear is in vegetation too thick to ever be certain there aren't cubs. How many people will have the self control to not take the shot?

The difference is under the new law 16 hunters who shot a lactating sow by mistake could have been charged and fined for no real fault of their own.

The reality here though is that if they weren't 100% sure, it was only their fault that the trigger was pulled.  We don't apply that thinking to a hunter who shoots a 2 point mule deer that was feeding in a brush patch because the hunter believed he saw a third point. Or should we say that's of no real fault of their own? At the end of the day in any of these situations, the hunter must be sure before pulling the trigger, and the result of that action is solely his or her "fault".
 

Do you really think a hunter is going to turn himself in? Nope those sows will lay and rot. With the old rule maybe the cubs had a chance, not with the new rule.

I think any ethical hunter would at least salvage the animal, whether they call themselves in or not who knows, but hard to imagine someone letting something go to waste. At least in the circle of guys I know.  Pre or post rule, I don't see how the situation changes for the cub(s)?

It’s not about conservation any longer with the present commission. It’s about tightening the screws on bear hunters.

 

100% true here.  We should at least be intellectually honest from our side though.

The reality is that bear populations are put of control in this state, and even if some number of sows are taken with cubs it will not have any meaningful impact on populations whatsoever. Should we be hunting does or cows by the same logic? Bottom line is it's a dumb rule, and won't move the needle much. I don't see anyone being prosecuted anyways. Lactating does not mean the sow was accompanied by cubs, a boar could have killed those cubs days prior.

[hunter399]

Yup....
It's a no .....no .....now.

I really don't think anyone plans on shooting a sow with cubs.

[dilleytech]

Another pointless law. No one’s out there with the intention of shooting a sow WITH cubs. The last thing I want to shoot is a sow with cubs. But I can say with certainty I’m not letting a bear lay to rot and this notion hunters are just watching bears frolic in a field for an hour before shooting them is fantasy land. If they actually cared about sows with cubs they would allow bear baiting but they don’t care they are just trying to make the anti hunters happy.

[hunter399]

Another pointless law. No one’s out there with the intention of shooting a sow WITH cubs. The last thing I want to shoot is a sow with cubs. But I can say with certainty I’m not letting a bear lay to rot and this notion hunters are just watching bears frolic in a field for an hour before shooting them is fantasy land. If they actually cared about sows with cubs they would allow bear baiting but they don’t care they are just trying to make the anti hunters happy.

Totally agree
Ding .....ding for the win.

[boneaddict]

I've had this engrained in me since I was able to understand words, so really its not that big of a deal.   I suppose if more folks would have adhered to that teaching, then this wouldnt have to be a rule.   This was one of the advantages of hunting over bait and with hounds, it was easier to observe your prey and make better judgements.   Thankfully, every bear I have killed has had a swizzle stick.     I believe this has been a thing in Alaska, at least for grizzlies for at least a couple decades.     

To add, there are too many crazies out there afraid of their own shadow, and willing to shoot any patch of color they see.  I bet there is a real statistic out there, but I'd say anecdotally that more folks are accidentally fatally shot during bear season than any other.  Turkey might own non fatal.    Ranchers can also attest to how many of their cattle get busted this time of year as well.

[dilleytech]

I've had this engrained in me since I was able to understand words, so really its not that big of a deal.   I suppose if more folks would have adhered to that teaching, then this wouldnt have to be a rule.   This was one of the advantages of hunting over bait and with hounds, it was easier to observe your prey and make better judgements.   Thankfully, every bear I have killed has had a swizzle stick.     I believe this has been a thing in Alaska, at least for grizzlies for at least a couple decades.     

To add, there are too many crazies out there afraid of their own shadow, and willing to shoot any patch of color they see.  I bet there is a real statistic out there, but I'd say anecdotally that more folks are accidentally fatally shot during bear season than any other.  Turkey might own non fatal.    Ranchers can also attest to how many of their cattle get busted this time of year as well.

I would guess rifle deer is by far the highest. So many more hunters. And all the crippled blind hunters rifle hunt. Duck hunting might be worse.

[EnglishSetter]

I've had this engrained in me since I was able to understand words, so really its not that big of a deal.   I suppose if more folks would have adhered to that teaching, then this wouldnt have to be a rule.   This was one of the advantages of hunting over bait and with hounds, it was easier to observe your prey and make better judgements.   Thankfully, every bear I have killed has had a swizzle stick.     I believe this has been a thing in Alaska, at least for grizzlies for at least a couple decades.     

To add, there are too many crazies out there afraid of their own shadow, and willing to shoot any patch of color they see.  I bet there is a real statistic out there, but I'd say anecdotally that more folks are accidentally fatally shot during bear season than any other.  Turkey might own non fatal.    Ranchers can also attest to how many of their cattle get busted this time of year as well.

FWIW, upland bird hunting has by far the most amount of accidental shootings of humans.  Typically not lethal, but can nevertheless be life changing

[boneaddict]

Ole Dick Cheney proved that I guess. 

[EnglishSetter]

Ole Dick Cheney proved that I guess. 

Being an avid upland bird hunter, I did "study" that incident.  I place as much or more blame on the guy who got shot (and I'm no fan of Cheney).  He had gone back to the outfitter's truck, drove around when she noticed Dick and friend had located some birds.  He approached from behind a rise, birds flushed as he cleared the rise. 

A safe bird hunter keeps track of other hunters (in our party or not).  We make ourselves seen.  A little wave is yuge.  When a guy checks out and goes back to the truck, he's now not tracked.  Then when he decides to rejoin without making himself known and approaches from out of view, he's at least party to his danger.

I seriously doubt this new bear rule will have any safety effect. 

[MuleyTracksWA]

Opening evening, we were sitting on a berry patch about 250 yards away when we spotted a small bear. We decided it was too small to shoot, but it was moving slowly, so we figured we’d just watch and see what happened — because you never know, right?

After watching her for three to three and a half hours, the bear stayed about 250 yards from the timber edge in that berry patch. Then, two little cubs came popping out of the timber, running toward the sow and joined her.

The big question is: how long do you have to watch a bear before you know? One hour? One day? Three days? Five days? A whole season? The real issue at hand, however, is the interpretation of the term "accompanied" within Washington’s legal framework, particularly as it pertains to hunting regulations. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) defines "accompanied" in such a way that it can vary significantly based on context. Generally, it suggests being in a position to assist immediately, maintaining close visual and auditory communication. This can be a crucial factor in decision-making during hunts, where unpredictability is a given.

My take is the only way to be sure is you can't shoot any sow.

[birddogdad]

Another pointless law. No one’s out there with the intention of shooting a sow WITH cubs. The last thing I want to shoot is a sow with cubs. But I can say with certainty I’m not letting a bear lay to rot and this notion hunters are just watching bears frolic in a field for an hour before shooting them is fantasy land. If they actually cared about sows with cubs they would allow bear baiting but they don’t care they are just trying to make the anti hunters happy.

exactly, ethical hunters already are there. this is a money grab potential, law made by same "ANTi"crew who want you to fill out several permission slips and PAY to gain permission to even purchase a gun.. made by non hunters for hunters...