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The Toll from Maryland's Bear Hunt

November 15, 2007


	©The HSUS
	Maryland residents gathered outside Governor O'Malley's mansion to protest the black bear trophy hunt.

Maryland's bear hunt ended last month, leaving in its wake 51 dead bears.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley failed to cancel the black bear trophy hunt, which began on October 22, despite pleas from animal advocates from across the state to stop it. Hunters killed 36 bears on the first day of the hunt.

152 bears have been killed in the state's four recent bear hunts. The first bear killed in these hunts was a ten-month-old, 84-pound cub.

Ignoring his Constituents

Governor O'Malley's office has turned down repeated requests by HSUS officials to meet to discuss the bear hunt.

The HSUS placed three full-page ads in the Baltimore Sun the week before the hunt, urging readers to call the governor and demand that the hunt be cancelled.

The governor's office said they had received at least 800 to 900 calls asking Governor O'Malley to cancel the hunt the week before the hunt began. The governor also received thousands of emails and letters opposing the hunt.

HSUS members and constituents outnumber hunters in the state by more than two to one, and in an October 2007 survey of Maryland residents, 64 percent of respondents believed O'Malley should cancel the bear hunt.

The day before the hunt began, more than 150 people gathered in front of the governor's mansion for a rally, calling on Governor O'Malley to cancel the trophy hunt, attracting media from around the state. But O'Malley remained silent and the hunt proceeded, costing 51 bears their lives.

Ignoring the Facts

Hunting does not reduce conflicts with bears. Maryland's trophy hunt of black bears ignores the best solutions for bear-human conflicts in favor of lethal methods and overlooks Maryland's history of fifty years of peaceful coexistence with these animals, who so recently neared extinction.

What You Can Do

It's too late to help the bears killed in the 2007 trophy hunt, but you can still call Governor O'Malley at (410) 974-3901 and ask him to cancel next year's senseless hunt.

Why Doesn't Hunting Solve Conflicts with Bears?

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

New Data Reveals High Number of Cubs Killed in Maryland's Annual Black Bear Trophy Hunts

Maryland Rejects $75,000 Offer to Cancel Bear Hunt

The HSUS Calls on Gov. O’Malley to Protect Black Bears From Trophy Hunters

Stay of Execution for Maryland's Bears?