Effects of Hunting Bears and Bobcats Without Dogs

November 8, 2012

Governor Brown signed SB 1221 on Sept. 26, 2012 to repeal authorization for the use of dogs to pursue bears and bobcats. The DFG has received a large number of questions from the public regarding what effects it may cause. Below are some of those frequently asked Q&As:

1.   Does SB 1221 affect the current bear hunting season?
No. The new law will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2013. The 2012 bear hunting season closes on Dec. 30, 2012, or when the DFG determines that 1,700 bears have been taken, whichever occurs first.

2.   What will be the effect on the bear population?
The DFG does not believe this law will negatively affect the State’s black bear population. Any increase or decrease in the overall bear population will likely be reflective of bear habitat, since habitat quantity and quality have more impact on the bear population than current hunting effort.

3.   Will I be able to surrender and get a refund on my bear or bobcat tag(s)?
No. Hunters are able to hunt bear and bobcat with dogs through the end of the current season, or until Jan. 1, 2013, whichever occurs first. After that date, hunters retain the ability to take those species during open seasons without the use of dogs.

4.   Will officers kill my livestock guard dog if it inadvertently chases a bobcat or bear?
This law applies specifically to the take of bear and bobcat as a method of take during regulated hunting seasons. Current laws (Fish and Game Code, sections 3960-3961) allow for the protection of game mammals during the closed season on the animal. If a livestock dog were to attempt to take a bear or bobcat during the open season, it would be considered an unlawful method of take and appropriate enforcement action would be pursued.

However, SB 1221 will add a new provision to the Fish and Game Code, subdivision (b) of section 3960.6, which states “Notwithstanding Section 3960, the pursuit of bears or bobcats by dogs that are guarding or protecting livestock or crops on property owned, leased, or rented by the owner of the dogs, is not prohibited if the dogs are maintained with, and remain in reasonable proximity to, the livestock or crops being guarded or protected.”

While the law allows for the capture or killing of dogs inflicting injury to certain mammals, DFG staff are careful in exercising its discretion and have rarely used this authority. The DFG does not expect SB 1221 to result in an increase in incidents involving the killing or capture of livestock guard dogs.

5.   Will the DFG still meet its bear hunting season quota of 1,700?
The 1,700 bear harvest cap is not technically a quota. The DFG is not specifically targeting a specific number of bears to be killed each hunting season. This harvest cap exists because the Fish and Game Commission has determined that the bear population and the environment will not be negatively affected at this level of take.

In the past ten years, this cap has been met only three times. The DFG will continue to collect data and information on the bear population. From this data, we will continue to develop information for population trends and propose tag and take levels to the Fish and Game Commission consistent with the DFG’s Black Bear Management Plan.

6.   Where can I find a copy of SB 1221?
Go to http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/, and in the top right-hand corner under quick search, type SB 1221 next to Bill Number.

With out the hound hunters instilling fear of man in bears, I predict within a decade we will have more bear problems in some regions becasue they will lose the fear of man and dog.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/bear/harvest.html

California bear hunters use various methods to harvest bear. Overall, the use of rifles accounted for 87% of the bear harvest, followed by archery equipment (7.5%), pistol (3.5%), and shotgun (1.5%). Muzzleloader or crossbow use comprised the remaining 0.5% of the total bear harvest. Individuals using a rifle, archery equipment or a shotgun spent, on average, 4 days in the field before taking a bear, whereas individuals using a pistol spent 5 days and individuals using muzzleloaders or crossbows spent 1.5 and 8 days in the field, respectively.

In 2012, 42% of returned bear harvest tags indicated bears were taken with the assistance of dogs (Figure 5), whereas 48% of bears were reportedly taken without using dogs; 10% did not report. On average, hound hunters (individuals who reported taking a bear with the assistance of dogs) spent 4.4 days in the field before taking a bear, compared to 3.7 days for non-hound hunters. This disparity in effort likely reflects hound-hunters’ self-reported propensity to tree multiple bears before taking one; however the Department does not currently collect the data to confirm this assertion. Lastly, 88% of hound hunters took a bear with a rifle, 7% used a pistol, 4% used archery equipment, and 1% used a shotgun. This is in contrast to non-hound hunters, 86% of whom took a bear with a rifle, 11% used archery equipment, and the remaining 3% used a pistol, shotgun or muzzleloader.

Most importantly, being selective as a hunter is out of the equation now, you will see sows with cubs being shot. You only get a short window on a bear, and if you do not see cubs, it is almost impossible to sex a bear. I think this is a stepping stone to limit and ultimately to outlaw hunting. There are already actions being taken to outlaw the use of a dog to hunt birds. If you have kids, get them involved so that they can enjoy the heritage before it is gone, and get them passionate about the sport, because if they don't, who will fight to carry on the legacy?

Don't forget they will issue permits to eliminate nusance bears at your tax dollars expense. Remember it is to protect the children after all.