So my son comes home and tells me he wants to go on a field trip in the local forest with a F&G biologist to study bears but that he has to sign a waiver stating he will
never hunt in this forest. Teenagers being who and how they are I ask, "forever, are you sure" and he states, "yes, forever". I am a bit perplexed at how they can do that. He hasn't hunted in a couple years and wants to be involved stating that "I won't always live around here anyway". I say don't sign it and see if we can find a solution.
I don't know much about the program and can only find a little bit on it. Anyone from the area, state or govt have any info on this program?
Here is what I have found.
http://209.85.207.104/search?q=cache:1-qu_yWHeJgJ:wdfw.wa.gov/volunter/coop_funding/2006_aleasummary.pdf+tumwater+school,+project+black+bear&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=usTumwater School DistrictProject: Black Bears of Capitol Forest Grant Award $12,000 Funds Spent $11,284 Volunteer Hours 96 Value of Volunteer Hours $1,440
Project Black Bear’s goal is to develop and implement an integrated field studies curriculum that will contribute to the research of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) scientists working with the black bears of Capitol Forest. This was the first of a multi-year project. ALEA funds were used to purchase GPS tracking collars and hire consultants to develop curriculum related to the project. Two GPS collars were purchased instead of three so some funds were left over. While bear trapping efforts were unsuccessful by the end of the grant period (June 30, 2006), some bears were captured and collared shortly thereafter. Student activities in the field and in the classroom were focused on the study of forest ecosystem health and productivity, while considering different viewpoints in natural resource management
http://198.238.33.67/com/oct0706.htm11. PILOT SPRING BLACK BEAR DAMAGE HUNT AND PROJECT BLACK -- BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on the pilot spring black bear damage hunt and Project Black Bear. Project Black Bear combines bear population information and management with public education and forest management. Cooperators include the Department, Department of Natural Resources, Washington Forest Protection Association, and Tumwater School District.
Staff Report:
Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Manager, Wildlife Program
Margaret Tudor, Conservation Education Program Specialist, Wildlife Program