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Black Bear Activist Guides: Trophy Hunting of Bears


	©Jim Kruger/iStockphoto
	All bear hunts do is provide trophies for hunters, and they don't solve problems.

Black bears are by nature shy animals who avoid humans whenever possible. Sometimes, though, the goodies around our homes prove too enticing and convenient, leading bears to raid garbage cans and bird feeders, and to wander too close to our homes.

Most problems with bears can be easily prevented by taking minor steps to avoid attracting them.

Unfortunately, the first response to conflicts with bears in many communities is to initiate a bear hunt. In some cases, perceived conflicts are just an excuse for a trophy hunt.

Approximately 33,000 black bears are killed in the United States each year.

But Wait, It Gets Worse

Some states allow the particularly unsporting practice of bear baiting, where hunters bait bears with piles of garbage and donuts.

Some states also allow hound hunting, where hunters use a pack of radio-collared dogs to chase a bear until she is exhausted or treed. All the hunter must do is follow the dogs' signals to the tree, then shoot the bear down.

A handful of states allow spring bear hunting, which can orphan young cubs when their mothers are killed. One state even still allows bear trapping.

What You Can Do

Is bear hunting legal in your state? If so, get active for bears and check out the activist resources below. You will find tips on dealing with conflicts with bears and techniques to counter bear baiting, hound hunting and spring bear hunting.

An Activist's Guide to Bear Baiting

An Activist's Guide to the Hound Hunting of Bears

An Activist's Guide to Spring Bear Hunting

Tips on Living with Bears: Effective Conflict Resolution

The Toll from Maryland's Bear Hunt

N.J. Supreme Court Tells Trophy Hunters: Not in Our State