Ban On Bear Hunting

[bearpaw]

GROUP SEEKS END TO BEAR HUNTING IN WASHINGTON
By Darren Warner

http://nrahuntersrights.org/Article.aspx?id=2437

If a new anti-hunting group has its way, hunters in the Evergreen State will no longer be able to hunt black bears. Big Wildlife recently condemned Washington officials for continuing to hold an annual black bear hunt, which started in most of the state Aug. 1 and runs until Nov. 15. The group also opposes Washington’s spring bear hunt, held in much of the state each April and May. Formed in 2006, the Oregon-based group believes its mission is to “provide a voice for carnivores such as cougars, bears, coyotes, and wolves in North America.” Toward that end, Big Wildlife stands in the way of nearly 50,000 residents and non-residents who annually hunt a healthy and ever-expanding population of black bears.

A Burgeoning Population
Washington has the largest population of black bears of all of the lower 48 states. “Using data collected from harvested bears and population reconstruction estimates, we believe there are between
25,000 and 30,000 bears evenly distributed throughout all forested landscapes in Washington,” said Donny Martorello, a carnivore, furbearer and special species section manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). About 75 percent of the state’s black bear habitat is on federal land or under private industrial ownership, meaning that the long-term outlook for the species is good. Resident hunters are allowed to harvest up to two bears per year. About 1,500 bears are taken annually, with the majority of them being boars (males).

Setting its sights on putting an end to spring bear hunting in 2010, Big Wildlife has attempted to garner the sympathy vote of the general population by stating, “Killing bears in the spring inevitably leads to orphaned cubs, who are still nursing at the time.” According to longtime Washington bear hunter and NRA life member Dave Rawson of Spokane, shooting sows with cubs is “a practice that’s frowned upon by most hunters.”

Professional outfitter Dale Denney of Bear Paw Outfitters, search (www.bearpawoutfitters.com) in Colville, Wash., who’s been guiding since 1978, believes that Big Wildlife has gone too far in calling for a total ban on bear hunting in Washington state. “Arguing that too many sows with cubs are being killed is not a basis for outlawing the sport of bear hunting,” said Denney. “If they really cared about the issue, they’d lobby the state legislature to enact stricter penalties for taking sows with cubs.” State wildlife officials know that the taking of a sow that has cubs is a rare occurrence in Washington, and the state urges hunters not to do so. “I don’t think it happens that often,” said Martorello. “Hunters try to do the right thing, and there’s no reason to take a sow with cubs or a cub.”

A Bad Name
Big Wildlife also has attempted to discredit Washington bear hunters, describing them as trophy hunters merely out for bloodlust. In a recent press release, Brian Vincent, the organization’s communications director, made this point: “Instead of letting trophy hunters turn these magnificent animals into throw rugs by the fireplace or a head on the wall, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife should provide vigorous protections for bears.” Vincent then argues that bear hunting is nothing more than a testosterone-driven activity. “Hunting bears isn’t ‘sport,’” he said. “It is cold-blooded killing of one of nature’s most majestic animals. And for what? So some guy who is insecure in his manhood can puff up his chest and feel good about conquering a defenseless animal?” But the reality is that those who hunt bears in the Evergreen State are far from trophy hunters. “In Washington, bear hunting is an opportunistic hunt,” explained Martorello. “Hunters are often out hunting for something else and stumble upon them.” When they do, they’re not trying to put a head on their wall, but rather food on the table. Most hunters eat the meat from the bears they harvest, according to Martorello. “It’s against the law to shoot a bear and waste the meat,” added Denney. I contacted Big Wildlife to clarify its position, but officials did not respond to messages requesting an interview.

A Limited Hunt
In 1996, Washington voters passed Initiative 655, which banned the use of bait and dogs for hunting black bears. As a result, hunters are limited to pursuing black bears using only spot-and-stalk methods. “I’ve been guiding since 1978, and we always try to get boars,” said Denney. “We can’t hunt bears with bait or by using hounds, so we’re not always as close as we used to be when we harvest a bear.” Other states such as Maine and West Virginia allow hunters to use bait and dogs to hunt black bears, giving them a better opportunity to get closer to their game, which helps with identifying a bear’s sex and allows for cleaner, more humane kills.

A Bear Necessity
Although the state has restricted how bears can be hunted, bear hunting remains a popular outdoor activity in Washington. Hunters and state wildlife officials alike know there are a host of good reasons to use hunting as a primary mechanism for managing the state’s bear population. These include (but are not limited to):

1. Keep the population in check. Aside from man, Washington black bears have no predators. Without bear hunting, the population would spiral out of control, creating many problems. High bear numbers have been linked to severe damage to crops such as corn, soybeans and watermelon; destroyed habitat and extensive timber damage; and high elk calf and deer fawn mortality rates.

2. More balanced bear age-sex ratios. Too many older boars negatively impact the black bear population. “When boars get to be 8 or 10 years old, they kill cubs,” explained Rawson. “If you thin out the old boars, the sows will breed with younger boars, resulting in more cubs.”

3. Human-bear conflict. The WDFW documents that between 300 and 500 human-bear interactions occur annually. Interactions increase during years in which areas of the state experience drought or inadequate rainfall, resulting in poor forage conditions.

4. Economic impact. Although Washington doesn’t keep track of the economic impact of bear hunting, other states do. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, for example, recently found that bear hunters contribute more than $51 million to its economy.

What You Can Do
The WDFW periodically seeks input from the public and special interest groups when considering changes to wildlife policies and programs, including hunting seasons. “We’re currently in the process of reviewing the 2010/2011 policy on bears,” Montorello explained. “Soon we’ll be seeking public input.”
To share your opinions and recommendations to the WDFW, look for information on its Web site about ways hunters can provide input (www.wdfw.wa.gov). Or send an e-mail to wildthing@dfw.wa.gov, requesting to be notified of any calls for public input or changes to policies related to black bears.

Finally, contact your legislators and share your concerns about Big Wildlife’s attempt to make bear hunting in Washington a thing of the past.

http://nrahuntersrights.org/Article.aspx?id=2437
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[Ray]

Thanks for spearheading this. I will be taking some action by writing the reps here.

[wolfbait]

Well Hell, first they want to load us up with wolves, now they want to shut down bear hunting. A cougar killed a goat up the Twisp River a week or so ago, WDFW are claiming its the one they turned loose that killed the llama in Libby Cr. How do they think they are going to manage all the over populated predators when they run low on prey. Do they plan on making Washington one great big park. Aw, I bet Washington is going to be a wildlife scenic area. No fishing, No hunting, and single ply toilet paper.

[rainshadow1]

It seems ridiculous that we'd even have to follow this kind of ARA group around to discredit their fuming... Management is clearly, CLEARLY not conducive to the "never kill anything" mentality. But the squeaky wheel, I guess... no matter how stupidly they squeak.

Working the emotions of the ignorant has been very effective in Washington in the recent past, so here they go again.

I wish there was an easier more efficient way to educate the ignorant, then most of the groups like BW would just wither on the vine.

I think there's enough meat eating urbanites that if the truth of their real motivation (ARA) were made widely public, these kinds of people wouldn't make much of an impact.

[Mookie]

A Bad Name
Big Wildlife also has attempted to discredit Washington bear hunters, describing them as trophy hunters merely out for bloodlust. In a recent press release, Brian Vincent, the organization’s communications director, made this point: “Instead of letting trophy hunters turn these magnificent animals into throw rugs by the fireplace or a head on the wall, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife should provide vigorous protections for bears.” Vincent then argues that bear hunting is nothing more than a testosterone-driven activity. “Hunting bears isn’t ‘sport,’” he said. “It is cold-blooded killing of one of nature’s most majestic animals. And for what? So some guy who is insecure in his manhood can puff up his chest and feel good about conquering a defenseless animal?”

I could care less about having a bear rug, if fact, I don't want one nor do I have a use for one, what I do want is that delicious bear jerky and sausage.

[Kain]

I think Im getting an ulcer.  Going up to the woods to find a bear to shoot.   

[Elkaholic daWg]

   Makes me happy that I bought the bear/cougar/deer/elk combo. Iwill be looking harder for the bear this year!

[wolfbait]

Well Hell,,You folks were thinking: What can we do about the wolves? Now that we know they have been releasing them in Washington and are here? I mean what can we really do, besides write letters? Now that they are getting closer to another of your species for shut down to hunting, what are your plans? Are you going to ask your selves the same questions, that you did for the wolves, or are you going to jump into the fight with all you have? You know the people who are fighting for hunting and outdoor enjoyment. Step up to the plate. Put your heart into it. Because if you don't, you will sooner, than you think, be watching home movies of how it use to be, or looking at pictures and bragging about an empty spot in your heart. Because this is the start of no hunting in Washington. And you still don't believe it, Washington will be a state of NO Hunting, because of the wolves and the environmentalists ploy to have an all predator west, that is their agenda. I know that there are a bunch of you that know what I am saying is true. Start fighting hard now or dream about the old days forever..wolfbait

[saylean]

The money I spend on a rug mounts aint cheap...supporting the taxi...

the amount I pay for summer sausage/pep sticks aint cheap which is what I do with the meat...supporting the butcher...

the money I pay in gas, guns, ammo, supplies, etc just to hunt bear aint cheap...

these people need to pull their heads outta their bums and then put it in a bears mouth.

[Curly]

I didn't even have a desire to kill a bear this year.........now I do feel like bear hunting. 

[270Shooter]

I didn't even have a desire to kill a bear this year.........now I do feel like bear hunting. 

Me too

[ouchfoss]

My plan for tomorrow was to go bear hunting anyhow,so now I'll feel better I do get one.

[cabin308]

I didn't even have a desire to kill a bear this year.........now I do feel like bear hunting. 

Me too

Add me to the count.

[runamuk]

My plan for tomorrow was to go bear hunting anyhow,so now I'll feel better I do get one.

good luck hunting


and I got this notice a while back in an email alert from NRA already fired off a couple letters.....I just started bear hunting and I want to continue...

[luvtohnt]

provide a voice for carnivores such as cougars, bears, coyotes, and wolves in North America.”

These two words should never be used in the same sentence. Bears are omnivores, and are only opportunistic with meat. These idiots think they are doing good for wildlife but to stop the control of predators would be MURDERING deer and elk. Maybe if we put that spin on it they will understand.

On a side note last weekend we hiked into snow lake, I had my rifle and I got lots of dirty looks( I have never been there and did not realize it would be overrun with coasties treehuggers). The ones that talked to me thought I was strange, there are bears up here? was a popular response. Well guess what as I was hiking out no more than 500 yards from the lake shore and 150 yards off the trail there was a small blond bear out looking for food. Not a single person but myself saw it. My point is I don't think the average hikereven knows how many bears there really are in the wilds of Washington.

Brandon