Since I couldnt find a better link. Unanimous vote in favor!! Big win from the least expected state!
CADFW Votes in Favor of 2 Bear Tags!!
- Thread starter Moserkr
- Start date
Since I couldnt find a better link. Unanimous vote in favor!! Big win from the least expected state!
MarvB
Well-known member
Mehhhh...sorry but feeling it's not so much a victory as it is an additional money grab by CADFW. Buddy of mine if a F&G biologist there and according to him Cali's bear pop "stability" number is based around an annual harvest of 16-17% of the population. Since the banning of hound hunting back in 2013 I think that that annual take for bears there has been about 3-4% and likely most of that by a very small but dedicated percentage of hunters.
Guess what I'm saying is that CADFW isn't giving up much by offering out a second tag....kind like here (Oregon) for bear and lions.
Guess what I'm saying is that CADFW isn't giving up much by offering out a second tag....kind like here (Oregon) for bear and lions.
Birddog916
Well-known member
The bear population can sustain much more harvest and the population about 59,000 bears and growing according the the latest bear management. This is not a cdfw money grab, it is an honest effort to give hunters more opportunity in a sustainable way. Currently, some of the highest bear densities in the nation occur in California. In addition to the extra tag, the commission also opened up new counties to bear hunting.
@MarvB Its a small victory but given the opposition, with it passing unanimously, its a victory nonetheless. I agree though, the impact will be minor or non-existent. We need dogs again or I would settle for a spring season. I really think that after the 2 tag idea fails, we will see then consider it maybe in 5-10 years.
I do not believe its a money grab like @Birddog916 said. The only people who will shell out (est. $60+) more dollars to hunt another bear will be guys who already filled their first bear tag. Im not buying two if I can only fill one a day, Ill buy another after I get my first tag filled. We have a decently long bear season plus they opened up 2 more counties so its a win.
I plan on focusing on bear already this year since I can get a deer on private quite easily. If I get a bear early in the season I will absolutely consider another bear tag. They are overpopulated where I hunt and live, but the terrain and vegetation makes it a challenge. I am yet to fill a bear tag but I usually only focus on them late after deer season. This year they are getting my undivided attention.
I do not believe its a money grab like @Birddog916 said. The only people who will shell out (est. $60+) more dollars to hunt another bear will be guys who already filled their first bear tag. Im not buying two if I can only fill one a day, Ill buy another after I get my first tag filled. We have a decently long bear season plus they opened up 2 more counties so its a win.
I plan on focusing on bear already this year since I can get a deer on private quite easily. If I get a bear early in the season I will absolutely consider another bear tag. They are overpopulated where I hunt and live, but the terrain and vegetation makes it a challenge. I am yet to fill a bear tag but I usually only focus on them late after deer season. This year they are getting my undivided attention.
David Gough
Well-known member
Hopefully this opens the door for a spring season sooner than later.
Yes spot and stalk only. No baiting. No dogs. We haven't reached the quota since they outlawed hunting with dogs. They are hoping this help but I will bet it will still fall short.
Good news is our seasons are long, and bears are plentiful if you have time to spend in the right places, which there are many.
Muley Buck
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2018
- Messages
- 50
This is exactly what the 2nd tag should have been for. A 2nd tag allowed only in the fall will do next to nothing to the bear population. Mainly the die hard bear guys will utilize this 2nd opportunity. Everyone else is deer hunting with a bear tag in their pocket. Make a spring season and you create a whole new set of hunters. I'd be one of them.
bayoublaster7527
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2017
- Messages
- 775
This is great to hear. Was following via HOWL.
jryoung
Well-known member
There's no chance at a spring season without a small step forward first. They'll likely need two years of data to show population stability before considering a spring season.....all while we have to consider the threat of legislation or a ballot initiative taking it all away.
My thoughts exactly.
Id guess its going to be 5-10 years of data. The threat to losing bear hunting all together though is very real. The anti-hunting, bear lover groups took this move as crossing a red line in lala land. Expect them to use ballot box biology to further their agenda.
David Gough
Well-known member
Agreed but
I'll take the more conservative approach. What I would give to hunt my CA bear area in the spring compared to going to Idaho on Friday....
jryoung
Well-known member
I'm hoping we can eventually get a limited draw for the spring. Female take will be a big issue and there may need to be a quota that would close the season if achieved. That could be like an antler restriction where if a female was taken, it may be left to rot. Gonna be a tough nut to crack for sure.
David Gough
Well-known member
Nevada has a sow restriction. There's also a mandatory course you have to take. Could be implemented in California as well. I don't believe any other state has a boar only restriction, even in spring seasons. An old sow and a medium boar can look too much alike.
Most places in CA have so many bears that female take won't impact population numbers. I hope they don't implement any type of sow/boar ratios for any hunts.
Exactly. It would only appease the anti-hunters out here by doing a sow restriction if we get lucky enough to have a spring season. Our bear numbers are beyond plentiful. If it got to the point where their numbers couldnt handle an open spring/fall season, the total take could be reduced instead. I highly doubt a filled quota would reduce their numbers at all in the long run whether sow or boar. Our bears live a pretty luxurious life out here with mild weather and plentiful food.
jryoung
Well-known member
agreed, but remember my the last sentence in post #10
