An introduced bill is looking to ban bear hunting in California. Sen. Scott Wiener introduced Senate Bill 252, “The Bear Protection Act” sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States. The bill would ban California’s bear hunting season. Under the new bill, bears could only be killed to protect public safety, livestock, and for scientific research purposes. Consequently, ending bear hunting permanently in the state.
“Over the past few years, black bears have faced unprecedented habitat loss due to climate change and wildfires, and continued sport hunting in California makes survival an even tougher climb. It’s time we stop this inhumane practice once and for all.” – Sen. Scott Wiener
While Senator Wiener’s claims are strong-willed, science directly disputes his claims. In 1982, the California black bear population was estimated at around 15,000 individuals. Today thanks to proper management and good stewardship from hunters, the population is conservatively estimated at 40,000 individuals.
Bear Management in California
These numbers show that California’s limited bear hunting has no ill effect on the population. Likewise, revenue earned for hunters goes into providing better habitat and enforcement. California’s bear hunting system works off of a quota. This means that any prospective hunter can buy a bear permit. Once a hunter harvests an animal they legally have one business day to bring the skull to a Department of Fish and Wildlife office to have the head examined by a state biologist. The bear is then added to the state harvest tally. If said harvest tally reaches 1,700 animals the bear hunting season is ended for the year. Last year, 30,394 hunters purchased the $49.42 bear hunting permit. Those hunters took 919 bears last season. The tag sales made $1.39 million in revenue last year for the Divison of Wildlife to use for projects.
Bear hunting is a crucial management tool for wildlife agencies that seems to constantly be under attack. These attacks are typically fueled by the false narrative that bear hunting is “trophy hunting”. Opponents of bear hunting typically falsely state that no one eats a bear. However, the black bear is excellent table fare. Their meat is similar in flavor and texture to pork. If you’ve ever had carne oso prepared and severed to you, you’d understand the quality of bear meat.
Hunters opposing the ban should sign the petition here. Likewise, you can write Senator Wiener here.
