Pilot Program for Bear hunting with Hounds.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Something came to my mind a little while back about the Cougar Permits you can put in for to hunt with hounds.  Why couldn't they do the same thing with Bears?  The Timber Companies are bringing in Hound hunters to reduce the population so they don't have as much tree damage.  Why not give all the hound hunters a chance to run Bears with there hounds?

Thoughts?  Ideas?

[sirmissalot]

I love that idea. I have never had the pleasure of hunting with hounds, I think it would be a great opportunity for a special permit hunt. Instead of having (and paying I would assume) professional hound hunters to reduce the amount of bears damaging trees, seems like the state could sell applications for the hunt and make some additional revenue, as well as creating more opportunities for hunters.

I was told the hound hunting for cougars will probably never be brought back, I'm assuming this is some sort of animals rights BS?

[Machias]

The cougar program was brought about because of intense pressure from the five NE counties.  Pretty much they told the state, do something and do it now or we will deputize folks and we will handle the out of control lion population ourselves.  They insitiuted the Public Safety Cougar Removal program and then they expanded it to a 3 year study which was extended 2 or 3 years, I can't remember which.  There is not the public outcry for bear numbers to be knocked down, because I think they are still taking a good number of bears without hounds or bait.  You'll probably never see the pressure put on the state for bears as you did (and probably will again) with lions.

[bearbaito6]

It would never work. Yeah it would be fun and all, but to be successful at catching bear in western washington with dogs, You have to have dogs that are in extremely great shape. So that means by getting drawn every now and then is not going to keep average Joe in the woods long enough to be successful. It is not quite the same as lion hunting.

[carpsniperg2]

I would love to have it come back. I was just getting old enough and legged up enough to start running dogs when it got shut down. I had just got my first pup and was starting my own pack. Don't think we will see it ever come back but it would be great.

[snocobearhunter]

it's not all that difficult to get in on some of the timber company hunts.