New Survey Finds Maryland Voters Oppose Bear Hunting, Want Governor O’Malley to Cancel Bear Hunt

WASHINGTON – As Maryland's controversial bear hunting season begins today, a new statewide survey conducted by Annapolis-based Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies reveals that a majority of Maryland voters oppose the hunting of bears, want the state to use non-lethal methods to address bear conflicts, and want Governor Martin O'Malley to intervene and cancel the bear hunt.

The telephone survey of 839 registered voters across the state was conducted from October 16 through October 21, and reveals the following:

• Only 37% support the hunting of bears, while 61% oppose, and 2% are undecided.  By party, 71% of Democrats, 47% of Republicans, and 52% of Independents oppose bear hunting. By gender, 49% of men and 73% of women oppose bear hunting. By race, 54% of white voters and 85% of African-American voters oppose bear hunting.
• By nearly a three-to-one margin, voters prefer that state officials address bear conflicts using non-lethal measures such as public education, trash management, and rubber pellets and loud noises to frighten bears away, rather than hunting. Statewide, 72% prefer non-lethal methods, 25% disagree, and 3% are undecided. By party, 81% of Democrats, 58% of Republicans, and 68% of Independents prefer non-lethal methods. Be gender, 65% of men and 79% of women agree. By race, 68% of white voters and 85% of African-American voters agree. In western Maryland, 52% of voters prefer non-lethal measures, 45% disagree, and 3% are undecided. A majority of voters in every party affiliation, gender, race, and region prefer non-lethal methods. 
• By a two-to-one margin, voters want Governor Martin O'Malley to intervene and cancel the bear hunt. Statewide, 64% want the governor to cancel the hunt, 32% disagree, and 4% are undecided. By party, 70% of Democrats, 56% of Republicans, and 57% of Independents want the governor to intervene. By race, 56% of white voters and 89% of African-American voters want the hunt canceled. By gender, 56% of men and 72% of women want the governor to take action. In western Maryland, 53% of voters want the hunt canceled. A majority of voters in every party affiliation, gender, race, and region want the governor to cancel the hunt. 

"These survey results confirm what we have long known: that Maryland citizens oppose the trophy hunting of our small and recovering black bear population," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The Humane Society of the United States, which commissioned the survey. "The message to Governor O'Malley is loud and clear: call off this trophy hunt and use humane and effective solutions to bear conflicts."

A copy of the complete survey results is available online HERE.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty.  On the web at humanesociety.org .