Killing a denning bear? What say you?

[Alan K]

Oh I don't doubt that, I know you do it the challenging way. . . I just know that those late tags are pretty coveted over there, largely because the animals aren't (in my opinion) at their finest. That's why the comment stuck out to me.

[Skyvalhunter]

Colorado Considers Ban on Hunting Denned Bears
January 6, 2011.

The Wildlife Commission will consider a new regulation to prohibit the take of bears in their dens during its January meeting.

During the morning session, the Wildlife Commission will get a first look at a new den-hunting regulation drafted by Division of Wildlife staff following an incident this fall in which a potential state record black bear was taken by a licensed hunter while in its den.

The incident has prompted a discussion about whether taking hibernating black bears in their dens is ethical, safe, or adheres to the concept of fair chase.

According to the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan adopted by the Wildlife Commission, the Division should look to maintain and increase support for wildlife management activities by emphasizing ethics, safety and fair chase in hunting, fishing and other wildlife programs. Although no regulations currently prohibit den hunting in Colorado, other states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan have adopted regulations to ban the practice.

The proposed regulation is scheduled to receive a three-step review by Commissioners, who could approve a final rule in May.

[ICEMAN]

Feel good legislation.

Better shut the season down as the denning approaches just to be sure... 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I'm not quite sure what the big deal is? This bear was in a hole? So what?

According to the article the bear was not sleeping. Following the biggest bear track you have ever seen into a den and shooting him is a whole hell of a lot more impressive to me than having 10 dogs run him up a tree. He was no less "trapped" in this den than he would have been up a tree.

The only issue I saw reading the article was the whole flashlight incident.

My thoughts exactly.  I question the artificial light thing too, but I don't trust reporters to get hunting details right, and DOW can make the call on whether or not a violation occurred.  That said, the guy is a flippin' idiot for publicizing his feat and not expecting a bunch of criticism.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I certainly hope the DOW turns down the proposed regulation.  The only way to tell for sure whether a bear is simply sleeping in a hole, or has entered hibernation, is to take a rectal temperature and see if the core temperature is suppressed. 

[bearpaw]

I certainly hope the DOW turns down the proposed regulation.  The only way to tell for sure whether a bear is simply sleeping in a hole, or has entered hibernation, is to take a rectal temperature and see if the core temperature is suppressed. 

 

[seth30]

I have gone down in caves before, found some yote tracks but no bears. 

[woodywsu]

I certainly hope the DOW turns down the proposed regulation.  The only way to tell for sure whether a bear is simply sleeping in a hole, or has entered hibernation, is to take a rectal temperature and see if the core temperature is suppressed. 

  There is always the heartbeat to check.

[boneaddict]

I certainly hope the DOW turns down the proposed regulation.  The only way to tell for sure whether a bear is simply sleeping in a hole, or has entered hibernation, is to take a rectal temperature and see if the core temperature is suppressed.   
 
 
 

I nominate Rasbo.

[gaddy]

if after entering a bears den and checking the rectal internal temp,then determining weather the temp is suppressed or not, would you then ask the sleeping bear to wake up & step out side or would you take picts and consider this a new extreme sport?

[DOUBLELUNG]

if after entering a bears den and checking the rectal internal temp,then determining weather the temp is suppressed or not, would you then ask the sleeping bear to wake up & step out side or would you take picts and consider this a new extreme sport?

If, after taking these steps, you have determined the bear is sleeping and not hibernating, the most ethical harvest technique is to b*tch-slap it awake and kill it MMA style.

[gaddy]

double that seems kind of harsh after the intamasy that was shared