Ca.Proposes Bear Tag Increase Options

[Bishop]

http://cbs13.com/local/black.bear.hunt.2.1467657.html


SACRAMENTO (AP) ―




State officials are drafting new rules that could greatly increase the number of black bears that hunters may kill each year.

The Department of Fish and Game says California's black bear population has quadrupled in the past 25 years. The increase has led to more reports of property damage and other encounters between humans and bears.

Hunters currently are limited to killing 1,700 black bears each year, and officials say the new rules could raise that by more than 50 percent.

The new rules also could, for the first time, allow hunters to use GPS devices on the collars of hunting dogs that automatically alert them when the dogs have cornered a bear.

[Arrowslinger]

Go to KCRA's website and view the messages left by folks.

[DKScott]

As posted earlier, the proposal is already under attack by the tools at HSUS Here is the link: HSUS opposes expanding CA bear hunt

They beat it back last year, so if its something you want, better get ready to fight for it.

[DeltaDan]

The Department of Fish and Game says California's black bear population has quadrupled in the past 25 years. The increase has led to more reports of property damage and other encounters between humans and bears.

No Joke ! They also need to open up some State Park area's as well around the Tahoe Basin.


National Parks -- the bears there will continue to break into anything they can.


What is really mindblowing - I believe there were dayum near 15,000 Bear tags issued for this last year - that again it was almost to the end of the year before the quota was filled.


My first thought was where are they all hunting ? ........My 2and thought was HOW MUCH ACTUALLY IS THE STATE "BANKING" FROM JUST THE TAGS PAID FOR ALONE !

--- That alone is ALOT of money !! ---- Wonder what they do/did/will more tag income ??

[bearclaw]

Many folks get tags after seeing bears and don't see them again.

['Ike']

How about a fricken Spring season!?!?

[Arrowslinger]

I saw more bear than deer this year....a spring season would be great!

[DKScott]

I need a nice rug.

[Mt Goat]

Im a memebr of California Houndsmen for Conservation and a memeber of the Southern California Houndsmen Assocation. These proposals are huge. They are a big step forward for Bear Hunters, Houndsmen and Dog owners is general in California. The DFG is Proposing to the Commission, 1) that the bear season either runs it course until the end of December without an early closer, or raising the limit from 1700 to 2500. 2) to open up new bear hunting areas. 3) to allow GSP collars or collars with treeing switches, and 4) shrinking of the Mts dog Closer zones.

The first of letting the bear season run its course will stop the unnecessary spending of money to send out closer notices. The DFG in 2008 had around 2030 bear harvested after all was said and done. In the two years sence then the bear population has gone from an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 bears. This proposal should be supported by all hunters.

The second will open up new areas for the hunting of bear, that is currently closed to and not allowed.

The Third Proposal is in my opinion a no brainer. Why can every other hunting dog be allowed to use the most modern of locating and retrieving system on the market and not Hounds ? GPS is the best way to control your dogs, and stop them from crossing hwy's, entering private property, and finding them and getting them home safely in a timely matter.

The fourth is great for hunters and well as the general puplic. As it is now most of the areas in the Mt's are close from April until the start or Deer season. Shrinking up the dog zones allows anyone to take their dog to the Mt's and take them for runs, hikes, training etc... Again where now its a ticket to have a dog off leash in the Mt's.

We have a Commission Meeting in Ontario on March 3rd and 4th, I'll be going to show my support for the DFG proposals, it would be great to have some of you guys show up in support of them as well. Its not just about Houndsmen, These are common sense proposals that need to be passed. The DFG need to have the ability to manage wildlife as they see fit without the constent threat of a lawsuit from the Anti's. Specail interest has no right to interfer with the DFG doing their Jobs.

This post has been edited by Mt Goat: Feb 4 2010, 06:32 PM

[bearclaw]

Goat, I can't be there, but we are in total agreement.

Does anyone know what went down last year when the proposL was for the season to extend to the end and was then repealed?

Have yet to hear what the timeline was for that getting overturned.

[DKScott]

Bearclaw, the Fish & Game Commission holds meetings around the state on a regular basis. The calendar is on the Commission website. http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2010/2010mtgs.asp

The text of the proposed rule changes is available in the link in the following news release. Note that there are also proposed rule changes for Elk, upland bird hunting and migratory bird hunting as well. These documents are available at the same link below

State of California • Department of Fish and Game
Office of Communications, Education & Outreach
1807-13th Street, Suite 104, Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 322-8911
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Page 1 of 1
NEWS
Contact(s):
Doug Updike, DFG Wildlife Branch, (916) 445-3652
Kirsten Macintyre, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8988
Jan. 27, 2010
Environmental Documents Regarding Changes to Bear and Elk Hunting Regulations Now Available for Comment
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has completed the draft environmental documents (DEDs) related to proposed black bear and elk hunting regulations changes. DFG is seeking written comments from the public through March 13, 2010.
The DEDs were prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, as required by law. The documents can now be viewed online at

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/pubnotice.

Written comments should be submitted to: Dr. Eric Loft, Chief Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Branch 1812 Ninth St. Sacramento, CA 95818
Comments received from the public about these DEDs will be incorporated into the final environmental documents that are scheduled for completion in April 2010.
###
Subscribe to DFG News via email or RSS feed at www.dfg.ca.gov/news

As for what happened last year, HSUS is claiming victory defeating it and is preparing to do the same this year. Look at the link in my previous post in this thread for details.

It comes down to who wants it most and who makes the most noise. My DFG and government friends tell me that 90% of the time its the antis that fill the room and the mailbox.

[madhunter]

A spring bear season would be great.

[DKScott]

A spring bear season would be great.

A spring season is not part of the proposal. Sorry.

Larry, you should have your guys study that document. Everything you need to make an effective argument at the meeting is there - the environmental impact report, a list of arguments against the proposals that were presented in a previous scoping session. Its really pretty comprehensive and readable.

[madhunter]

I didn't say it was proposed, I only said it would be great. I wish it was.

[Bishop]

If you can't attend one of the meetings, write or email the commission expressing support for the proposals.

Mailing Address: California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090


Telephone: (916) 653-4899

Fax Number: (916) 653-5040


Email: (Include a reference to the bear hunting proposals in the subject line)

Commission: fgc@fgc.ca.gov

John Carlson, Jr , Executive Director: jcarlson@fgc.ca.gov

Jon K. Fischer, Deputy Director – Regulations and Policy: jfischer@fgc.ca.gov

Adrianna Shea, Deputy Executive Director – External Affairs and Special Advisor to the Commissioners: ashea@fgc.ca.gov

Jim Kellogg, President: jkellogg@fgc.ca.gov

Richard Rogers, Vice President: rrogers@fgc.ca.gov

Daniel Richards, Commissioner: drichards@fgc.ca.gov

Michael Sutton, Commissioner: msutton@fgc.ca.gov

Donald Benninghoven, Commissioner: dbenninghoven@fgc.ca.gov

[hank4elk]

SLO county just shot down the bear hunt idea there even tho they are all around....tree huggers...that will be calling the Fed.Trapper to find their missing kittys and lap dogs....just like the cats,bears are a no-no.