How come spring bear isn't statewide in every unit?

[wilsongideon]

Does anyone have any idea why? Has this been covered before, I am just curious if anyone has any info.

[ICEMAN]

To preserve bear numbers in certain GMUs and still steer hunters to surplus bears in a few other GMU's, to excite hunters to apply and cram them into one GMU making enforcement easier, to address bear problems in GMUs where fewer private land owners maintain damage control. Take your pic. More answers coming...stay tuned.

[huntnnw]

more money for the state...make a permit hunt and get all the app fees. Dont tell me they cant open alot of this state to general spring season..but yet we have a general statewide fall hunt  ? there is no shortage of bears here..they are over populated in many units. I have hunted bears for 25 years and its far easier as a spot and stalk hunter in this state from my exp to hunt fall bear compared to spring bears

[wilsongideon]

thanks....well I would pay 10 bucks for a chance to hunt spring bear in some of the units that arent open.

[runamuk]

To preserve bear numbers in certain GMUs and still steer hunters to surplus bears in a few other GMU's, to excite hunters to apply and cram them into one GMU making enforcement easier, to address bear problems in GMUs where fewer private land owners maintain damage control. Take your pic. More answers coming...stay tuned.

[sakoshooter]

Does anyone have any idea why? Has this been covered before, I am just curious if anyone has any info.

Damn good question.

[Ingwe]

I know that the state has given out some permits to a trapper who is snaring bear on private timber land. He has got two so far. It makes me mad that we are not allowed to hunt these bear as this private land is next to state land.

[bearpaw]

There is no reason that we cannot have spring bear hunting in most units with a quota on the harvest in each unit. That would provide more opportunity to hunters, money to the WDFW, and better help to control bear numbers since the state would be setting the quota in each unit.

FYI - I have heard there is some talk of expanding spring bear hunting. Now would be a very good time for us to get organized and promote the idea.

[snowpack]

I think WDFW is too worried about the antis.  If it was a general spring hunt, they might have some little cubs get orphaned and then antis would make all kinds of noise.

[dr.derek]

I thought of this today, we can't use bait or dogs...fine, but I think we should at least get a chance during the spring.

[wilsongideon]

Thanks for the input, some reasonable theories, but How would anyone know if a cub was orphaned? do cubs come into town and say their mommy was shot?  I do know what your saying though. I figure It might bring in some money for the WDFW so since they like money I figure they might have it in more units, alot of bears in the North central GMUs

[bobcat]

It's a great question. I even wrote a letter to the WDFW a year or two ago and asked them the same thing. Of course I never got a reply, and didn't expect to.

But you're right, there's no good reason that they can't have spring bear permits in every GMU that holds good numbers of bears. Even if it were only 10 permits, it would be better than nothing.

[Ingwe]

I think they should have a spring bear tag and a fall bear tag, especially on the west side. I would be happy to pay for a spring tag.

[huntnnw]

screw the permits..BS... 10 and 20 tags is a JOKE! for NE WA....but yet we can go up in Sept on a OTC general hunt 

[Jonathan_S]

I thought of this today, we can't use bait or dogs...fine, but I think we should at least get a chance during the spring.

Umm...not fine with me!   

I have a problem with not being allowed to bait and selectively harvest mature bears at a humane distance.  I also wish I could chase bears with hounds.