Bear Hunting Expansion Postponed

An unpopular proposal to expand bear hunting throughout California — particularly San Luis Obispo County, where the practice would have been permitted for the first time ever — was indefinitely and unanimously postponed last week by the state’s Fish & Game Commission, which cited widespread opposition and the submitted comments of more than 10,000 citizens. This is the second year that the bear-hunting expansion has been put before the commission, but the accompanying environmental report was deemed to be deficient. The postponement was applauded by the Los Padres ForestWatch, whose director Jeff Kuyper declared in a statement, “Based on current information provided by state biologists, such a hunt would not be sustainable and is not in the best interests of San Luis Obispo County’s wildlife.” The commission may reexamine the issue again as soon as May. As it stands, Californians are allowed to kill 1,700 black bears each year.