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The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission denied two petitions for a spring black bear hunting season next year.
The commission paused spring bear hunts starting in 2022. Animal advocacy groups had called the hunts cruel. They said the spring hunts could orphan cubs.
However, hunters said the hunts taught people how to make ethical choices and protected timber from bears that emerged from hibernation. They say the hunts also protect elk and deer numbers and people’s safety.
The ongoing discussion and subsequent pauses have been met with multiple petitions asking to reinstate spring bear season, many by the same petitioner.
Commissioner Melanie Rowland said the commission won’t authorize a hunt until there is a new, proven management reason to do so.
The commission paused spring bear hunts starting in 2022. Animal advocacy groups had called the hunts cruel. They said the spring hunts could orphan cubs.
However, hunters said the hunts taught people how to make ethical choices and protected timber from bears that emerged from hibernation. They say the hunts also protect elk and deer numbers and people’s safety.
The ongoing discussion and subsequent pauses have been met with multiple petitions asking to reinstate spring bear season, many by the same petitioner.
Commissioner Melanie Rowland said the commission won’t authorize a hunt until there is a new, proven management reason to do so.
No spring bear hunts in Washington – again
Posted from kuow.orgPosted in these groups: 
State of Washington
Hunting
State of Washington Hunting
Posted 8 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Good arguments on both sides of the aisle. I'm glad I'm not the one having to make this decision.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."I feel like Bill Murray on ‘Groundhog Day.’ I open my department email or look at the public comments, and it’s the same thing over and over again,” he said.
Department staff said there are times they could clarify these issues further, like during discussions of the game management plan, but there won’t be more spring bear hunts in Washington until a new management issue crops up.
Oregon and Idaho both allow spring bear hunts."
..."I feel like Bill Murray on ‘Groundhog Day.’ I open my department email or look at the public comments, and it’s the same thing over and over again,” he said.
Department staff said there are times they could clarify these issues further, like during discussions of the game management plan, but there won’t be more spring bear hunts in Washington until a new management issue crops up.
Oregon and Idaho both allow spring bear hunts."
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