San Luis Obispo, CA– In a surprise move today, the California Fish and Game Commission decided to table proposals to expand trophy hunting of black bears across the state. During a teleconference this morning, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) recommended that the Commission make no changes to bear hunting regulations. The agency had previously recommended permitting hunters to kill an unlimited number of bears across California and allowing trophy hunting of bears in San Luis Obispo County for the first time. But today the Department backpedaled on the proposals and the Commission agreed to take no action. Click here to watch bear hunting video (WARNING: video is disturbing)
"While we are pleased the Commission decided against expanding bear hunting in California, we believe the time has come to completely end the blood sport of killing bears for trophies," said Brian Vincent, Big Wildlife’sCommunications Director. The wildlife group said it would now work to end bear hunting in California altogether.
Last week, a coalition of more than 40 groups had sent a letter to the Commission urging the panel to reject the CDFG bear hunting proposals (click here to read coalition letter). In San Luis Obispo County, where growing community opposition to bear hunting had spilled over onto the local newspaper editorial pages, a majority of county supervisors had urged the Commission to vote against CDFG's planned bear hunt in their area.
Historically, the CDFG has closed bear season after 1,700 bears were reported killed. The agency had proposed lifting this "closure mechanism," essentially removing any cap on the number of bears who can be killed during hunting season. Wildlife groups had argued that such action was irresponsible since the CDFG had not conducted a thorough analysis to determine the impacts such a "management" change might have on bears across the state. Big Wildlife had also opposed the agency's planned bear hunt in San Luis Obispo County. The wildlife advocacy organization said it would now work to end all bear hunting in California.
"Bears still face growing threats in California and across the globe. Killing these magnificent animals for a bear rug in front of the fireplace is barbaric, uncivilized, and just plain wrong," said Vincent.
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