An Activist's Guide to Spring Bear Hunting

	©U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
	Springtime bear hunts leave dependent cubs orphaned to die of starvation or predation.

Only eight states allow spring bear hunts, largely because the practice is recklessly inhumane.

Killing bears in the spring inevitably leads to orphaned cubs, who are still nursing at the time. These cubs, unable to survive on their own, are left to starve slowly to death or be killed by predators. Our Spring Bear Hunting Fact Sheet has more details.

Is hunting bears in the spring legal in your state? If so, help us end this unsporting practice by sending a few quick letters.

We provide sample letters to the editor, sample letters to your legislators, and sample op-eds to get you started. You can edit these or use them as a guide to write your own. 

Stop Springtime Slaughter

• Write a letter to the editor
  
  A well written, well timed letter to the editor can shift public opinion and influence policy.
  
  
  • Before you get started, here are a few tips.
  • See our sample letters
  
  

• Ask elected officials to stop the hunts
  
  Spring bear hunting, like bear baiting and hunting bears with hounds, is an abuse that must be banned at the state level.

  • Look up your elected officials and get tips on contacting them. 
  • See our sample letters
  
  

• Write an op-ed
  
  If you want to be more creative, try submitting a longer essay to the op-ed pages of your favorite newspaper.
  
  

  • Read a couple of example op-eds

   

Related Links

Spring Bear Hunting Fact Sheet

Spring Bear Hunting: Sample Letters and Op-Eds

Tips for Successful Lobbying

Black Bear Activist Guides: Trophy Hunting of Bears