Montana Black Bear Harvest Lower than Expected

[Skyhigh]

some good information on harvest and population

http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articles/2009/blackbears.htm

[Machias]

Good article but the guy has a couple of lines that are complete BS, IMNSHO

“We also wouldn’t want to do anything that would result in more orphaned cubs in spring. As for using bait, most hunters and nonhunters don’t consider that fair chase—for bears, deer, ducks, or other species.” 

Hound hunting and baiting greatly reduces the chances of orphaned cubs.  And as for the last line it's not Most hunters, some, but not MOST.

Thanks for shairng.  I wonder what impact the wolves will have on the black bear populations.

[saylean]

interesting article. At least it gives them more defense from the wacko enviroMENTALS if they have to take it to court.

[shanevg]

That's a really good article.  I love reading about Fish and Game agencies actually doing real biology, it seems to be rare these days.  Just think, this spring WDFW was proposing to close bear hunting in August because they had a "hunch" that bear populations may be decreasing.  Maybe if WDFW actually did some biological research like the guy in this article, we as hunters would be willing to listen to them and trust them.  I'll be the first in line to support an August closure of bear hunting if WDFW did this kind of research and found we had a 20% harvest rate and they had already eliminated a second bear tag. 

[Skyhigh]

Good article but the guy has a couple of lines that are complete BS, IMNSHO

“We also wouldn’t want to do anything that would result in more orphaned cubs in spring. As for using bait, most hunters and nonhunters don’t consider that fair chase—for bears, deer, ducks, or other species.” 

Hound hunting and baiting greatly reduces the chances of orphaned cubs.  And as for the last line it's not Most hunters, some, but not MOST.

Thanks for shairng.  I wonder what impact the wolves will have on the black bear populations.

agreed on the comments..I caught those also and the one where he was going into the study believing the harvest was higher. I would not have stated that publically, is all....
This is great data to have, no doubt...Hopefully it will generate more throughout other states...

I believe the baiting in Montana was not allowed, cuz the fact it would bring in the griz...but I maybe mistaken....I would be a little scared leaving a bait stand with a population of griz around...