Wildlife Organization Protests Start of Bear-Hunting Season

As a large parcel owner in Los Padres National Forest we've had the opportunity to witness these hunting "sports" first hand. These are ruthless hunters that set loose hound dogs with transmitters on their collars so that the hunter can use radar to track them as they chase bear through the night.
In the past, we've had several of these hound dogs arrive at our home in the middle of the night, covered with blood and badly wounded from fighting a bear that we later found malled. Fearfully, we were able to get the dogs into our pickup truck, then found and returned them to the owner, who didn't even apologize or thank us.
The Department of Fish and Game should be ashamed for promoting such an antiquated program and selling your opportunity to enjoy the wildlife in your national forest to destructive hunters.
Is it a coincidence that the La Brea fire that's affecting so many people started in a remote area on opening day of deer hunting season?

Thank you, TheTruthMachine. I am a city dweller and knew nothing of this. It's shocking and disgraceful. What can we do to put a stop to it?

Hope all the parents who buy teddy bears for their children are aware of exactly how bears are treated for months (until December 1!) in this area!

What can you do to help stop the brutal practice of hunting bears? Contact Big Wildlife to join in their efforts to end bear hunting. Go to www.bigwildlife.org to learn more.

The department of Fish & Game Commission has five members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. The panel meets at least 11 times annually to publicly discuss proposed regulations, permits, liscenses, management policies etc..It also holds special meetings to get public input on items of more localized nature. The commissioners are open and rely on other Californians for recommendations and constructive criticism of proposed actions. Perhaps with the readers help we can revamp the departments policies....I urge readers to write to:
Department of Fish & Game Commissioner, 1416 Ninth St. Sacramento, CA 95814, or call (916) 653-4899,
This barbaric blood sport must come to an end locally, as the Bruins have lost most habitat due to 5 major fires...

Thank you,
www.animalrescueteam.net

Animalwhisperer,

Go points. San Luis Obispo County residents put up a good fight to stop a new bear hunt in their area earlier this year. After flooding the California Department of Fish and Game and the Commission with calls and letters in opposition to the new hunt, the hunt proposal was rejected.

You can also contact Brian Vincent at Big Wildlife to become part of the California campaign to end bear hunting. His email is brian@bigwildlife.org

I meant "good points" not "go points." LOL

To see what a real bear hunt with hounds looks like go to: http://www.bigwildlife.org/front_animal_...

Warning: the video of the bear hunt is disturbing.

An interesting article, had no idea this was going on. I would support a ban on bear hunting if that wouldn't create any wildlife population balance issues (DFG could tell us?)

But if a compromise is required, we could keep bear hunting legal but allow only the use of bows and arrows. No dogs, no radio collar tracking, no guns. Lets see how many "hunters" take up that particular challenge.

I have hunted bears in SB county for several years. I personaly do not use dogs and dont want to due to the advantage it gives the hunter. I have not harvested a bear but have seen many. Sows(females) with cubs may not be taken or cubs themselfs. Please do not label all hunters as barbaric. Do not down something until you have experianced the joy one feals being up in bruin territory testing ones skills against a sly apponent. As with most animals they have the advantage of superior smell, sight, hearing, stamina, and speed. In order to take a bear one has to be able to go where the bear lives and the terrain is not very freindly. To truthmachine, the fire was started by illegal mexican pot farmers. The fire will also greatly improve the bears habitat by increased water flow in all the canyons, healthy chokecherry bushes and and increased rodent populations. To citti, move back to LA. My kids are 9 and 10 and love to hunt with me. They know that hunting puts food on the table and it comes with hard work that doesnt end when the trigger is pulled. The animal must be quartered and packed out, sometimes several miles then processed and wrapped. Wild game is also healthier than store baught meats and so much tastier.