Fall bear season to be minimized

[GeoSwan]

Here we go! The Wildlife Commission is set to delay bear hunting in the recently released WDFW Game Management Plan to after 9/7.

"some fall bruin hunts being pushed out past Labor Day Weekend so as not to conflict with other recreationists in the woods and mountains in late summer."

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/new-wa-game-plan-asks-wdfw-to-consider-moving-bear-season-to-avoid-wildlife-viewer-conflicts/

Here's the WA Game Commission's email address: commission@dfw.wa.gov
Here's the WDFW Director's email: director@dfw.wa.gov

Let them know what you think! We can't let them encroach on the only season we have left. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Especially when the REI crowd THAT DOESN'T ADVOCATE FOR HUNTERS is the group set to benefit from this STUPID idea. The Commission and WDFW need to give hunters a wide birth, not advocate for weekend warrior tech bros.

Email them and tell them to ditch this punitive, offensive idea.

[WoolyRunner]

I’m so over this state.

[HillHound]

How about they don’t go in the woods because they are interfering with my bear hunting. So dumb! I can’t stand these idiots

[Buck Rub Jr]

Here’s what the game management plan says.

[pashok23]

No words

[GeoSwan]

I’m so over this state.

The idea of Washington is great, but 8 million people and special interest have created a bureaucratic disaster. A punitive, red tape lined nightmare that hopefully other states will use as a case example of what not to do.

[Buck Rub Jr]

I’ll post a couple email drafts that can be copy and pasted to send if anyone is interested in advocating against this.

1:

To the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission,

I am writing to respectfully oppose the proposal to delay the opening of Washington’s black bear hunting season in an effort to “minimize conflict between user groups.” This proposal is not supported by wildlife management science, conflicts with existing Washington law, and risks reducing critical conservation funding generated through regulated hunting.

Washington’s black bear population remains robust and widely distributed, with long-standing estimates of approximately 25,000–30,000 bears statewide. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Big Game Management Plan identifies regulated hunting as a primary and effective tool for maintaining sustainable bear populations, reducing human–bear conflicts, and managing ecological impacts. Earlier season timing is particularly important for addressing conflict issues that occur during late summer when bears are actively foraging near human developments.

Participation data further demonstrates strong and consistent public engagement in bear hunting. From 2014 through 2023, annual bear tag sales ranged from approximately 56,000 to over 77,000 tags per year. At a cost of $27.60 per bear tag, this represents roughly $1.6 million to over $2.1 million in annual revenue, with more than $17 million generated over the last decade from bear tags alone. These funds directly support wildlife management, habitat conservation, enforcement, and public access programs statewide.

Shortening the season by delaying opening dates will predictably reduce hunter participation and associated revenue, undermining WDFW’s ability to meet its conservation and management objectives. This concern is especially relevant given that hunting-generated revenue is a cornerstone of Washington’s wildlife funding model.

The stated justification of minimizing “user conflict” is also inconsistent with Washington law. Under RCW 77.15.210, intentional interference with lawful hunting activity (commonly referred to as hunter harassment) is prohibited. Washington’s legal framework already provides protections to ensure lawful hunting can occur alongside other recreational uses. Adjusting biologically justified hunting seasons to accommodate potential interference undermines this statute and sets a concerning precedent.

Decades of agency research and wildlife management practice demonstrate that regulated bear hunting:

Maintains populations within biological carrying capacity

Reduces human–bear conflict and property damage

Supports ecosystem balance

Generates essential conservation funding

No biological or population-based justification has been presented to support shortening Washington’s bear season. Wildlife management decisions should remain rooted in science, conservation outcomes, and statutory mandates—not social pressure from specific interest groups.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Commission to reject the proposed changes and retain Washington’s current, science-based black bear season structure.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]


2:

I oppose the proposal by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to delay Washington’s black bear hunting season.

The WDFW Big Game Management Plan states that wildlife management should “provide sustainable hunting opportunities” and recognizes that “hunting is an important tool for managing wildlife populations.” Shortening bear season conflicts with these goals and reduces an effective management tool that helps maintain healthy bear populations and reduce human–bear conflict.

Bear hunting also provides critical conservation funding. First bear tag sales alone generate approximately $1.5–$2.1 million annually for wildlife management programs. Reducing hunting opportunity will reduce participation and conservation funding.

The stated goal of minimizing user conflict is also unnecessary. Washington law (RCW 77.15.210) already prohibits interference with lawful hunting activity and protects the rights of all user groups.

Wildlife management decisions should be based on science, conservation outcomes, and statutory mandates. I respectfully request that the Commission reject the proposed changes and maintain the current bear season structure.

Thank you for your consideration.

[Your Name]

[MADMAX]

Thanks sent an email
Appreciate that you took the time to draft those

[EnglishSetter]

I’m so over this state.

The idea of Washington is great, but 8 million people and special interest have created a bureaucratic disaster. A punitive, red tape lined nightmare that hopefully other states will use as a case example of what not to do.

It ain't the amount of people, it's that too many (1/3) live in King county.

[jason stevens]

If there gonna short our season because of hiking make sure the hikers are paying for hiking an parking permits charge them all the fees an then extend our hunts a month later make the hikers pay what we do an extend our season until December 31st an bring back spring season with dogs. We can stand away for the hickers if you give us our bait an dogs.  Otherwise get ready for hickers being attacked.

[GeoSwan]

I’m so over this state.

The idea of Washington is great, but 8 million people and special interest have created a bureaucratic disaster. A punitive, red tape lined nightmare that hopefully other states will use as a case example of what not to do.

It ain't the amount of people, it's that too many (1/3) live in King county.

The problem is ambivalence, which is found in every county in this state. This is also a bi partisan issue. You can be a democrat or republican and not like hunting or be ambivalent towards it. More importantly though, drop the rhetoric. It’s doesn’t add to our collective goal of burying anti hunting decisions made by people who didn’t run for office. Enough of this Fox News Koolaid

[MADMAX]

I’m so over this state.

The idea of Washington is great, but 8 million people and special interest have created a bureaucratic disaster. A punitive, red tape lined nightmare that hopefully other states will use as a case example of what not to do.

It ain't the amount of people, it's that too many (1/3) live in King county.

The problem is ambivalence, which is found in every county in this state. This is also a bi partisan issue. You can be a democrat or republican and not like hunting or be ambivalent towards it. More importantly though, drop the rhetoric. It’s doesn’t add to our collective goal of burying anti hunting decisions made by people who didn’t run for office. Enough of this Fox News Koolaid

Not too many “Welcome Hunters” signs in Seattle

[Scruffy]

As mentioned, if we lose a day of the season because of these people they need to be held accountable.  When I used to hunt in the Methow until the *censored*s took over they would park next to us with no Discover pass or any other parking pass but we needed a pass.  They had all dark clothing on we have to wear orange.  They are supposed to have their dog on a leash, none had a leash.
So I want to see them ticketed for no parking permits, No leashes.  I want them to wear florescent orange and buy a permit to hike/run/dog walk on game lands like we need to buy a hunting license.

[bearpaw]

Maybe hiking season should be shortened so hikers quite interfering with science based legal hunting seasons? 

All this is is an excuse for the antihunting Washington Wildlife Commission to reduce hunting for predators! I think it should be called out for what it is publicly and directly to the commission.