Kentucky Bear Season

[ksp965]

When will the first Kentucky Bear Season be held? I believe that the Department is looking at probably five years down the road. Residents of Letcher County are tired of kicking these pests off of their porches, finding their garbage scattered and bee hives raided, all on a regular basis. I dare say that similar attitudes can be found in other counties in the Pine Mountain, Black Mountain areas of the state. Many believe that a running season would at least instill fear of dogs into raiding bears, thus offering some relief and protection. Even though billed as shy and harmless, blackbears are powerful, dangerous animals that can and have killed humans before. Remember the unfortunate lady a few years ago in the Gatlinberg area that became supper for a blackbear? What do you think? Is it time to have a season in Kentucky for Blackbears? Our neighboring states have bear hunting seasons and the bears still are expanding into Kentucky. So regulated hunting does not seem to harm the population. Let me know what you think? If and when a hunting season is approved, how should it be ran? Where? How should hunters be selected? Or should it be wide open? You tell me what you think. Also, tell us what encounters you or your friends have had in Kentucky with the black bruin.

[Multidigits]

They are about in the middle of a 5 year study on bears. You can bet that there won't be any interest in a hunt of any type until this study is done.

[thunderstorm]

You bet E. KY is ready for a bear season. How, who, & when is a good question. I don't think bow season during the fall would have any impact on the population. It would be a good start.

The Dept. doesn't need to wait until their study is over to begin the process. 2 years of ciphering the data and 2 years of public input, planning, and arguing about what do to do will not be good.

I don't think I'm in good enough shape to run a bear, but if you're game I'm in.[:D]

[ksp965]

Hah hah. Me run? Maybe my mouth, that's about all anymore. I thought that we would let the dogs do the running and we would take the credit for the dogs'hard work. I would think that there is some houndsmen out there that would have some thoughts about a running season?

[Birdman]

From talking with people from the Pine Mountain Area and others in Eastern Ky. we need a Bear Season now. And have needed one for several years.

You know, it's funny in one sense. A few years ago the dept. was saying we don't have bear in Ky. Everyone in Eastern Ky. have know for years (30 or better) that we've not only had bear but lots of bear. Twenty one years ago, an old sow and two cubs came walking down the road in front of my house. On different occassions, when berriers are ripe, you can see five or six bears on different strip jobs. We have them and if we don't start hunting bear real soon, a lot of people are going to court over shooting these animals. Their not like deer or turkey.

[Multidigits]

They have made the statement that they wanted the elk hunted before the restoration was done to cobat the sacred elk syndrome. Why not hunt bears under the same pretense? Must not be any interest from the Commission? Anybody know if it's ever been discussed at any of the meetings?

[Birdman]

It was discussed at the 7th district federation meeting this spring. The answer from our commission member was, we'll see.

[Xtreme]

Maybe we need to establish a "bear zone" and have a week or two hunting season with limited permits. This will be a start.

[Birdman]

A starting point, use the same zone as the elk.

[Feedman]

Wait a minute! Weren't these bears (that we don't have) dropped from helicopters by the department to feed on elk carcasses? They got this procedure from dropping "rattlesnakes" to eat the turkey eggs.

Maybe this is how we are now getting the Mountain lions established in KY.

It ain't braggin, if you can back it up.

[Birdman]

Very interesting theory.[;)]

[turk2di]

If it's deemed biological sound, then release the hounds i say! BTW- it's not important to outrun the bear as long as u out run your buddy[:D]

what u get out, is what u put in

[Deer Hunter]

Here in Arkansas they opened bear season in the late 70's. They have a certain number of bears allowed for bear season every year. I think this year it was like 400 bears. So many could be taken out of each bear zone. They have a phone number to call into to see how many bears has been taking out of the zone you are planning on hunting in before you head out to hunt.

When i first learned that the game and fish had stocked bears here. I was like allot of the hunters here at the time. I hoped to never run into one. And was scared of running into one. But now it is just the opposite. I hope to see one while out hunting. I hunt in some good bear country and see allot of sign. But have only seen 4 since they stocked them here.

They are a nussiance for people who live in bear country. From what i hear they are bad about getting into their garbbage cans and any dog food they may have arround the place. And allot of the people who has problems with them unfortunately take care of the problem their selfs. And it is illegal for them to do it. But they do. I have heard of several people shooting them with a flash light and 22.

[Birdman]

Does anyone know what the houndsmen think about this issue?

[Xtreme]

I daresay wayne would be totally against this as some one may mistake HIM for a bear and shoot him[:D][^][:o)]

[Multidigits]

Never seen a bald-headed bear but I guess anythings possible?

[turkeyhunternwtf]

I think it is pass time to have a bear season in eastern kentucky they say a bear is not dangours if not how come they have killed people. there are more bear's in kentucky than people know about so it's time to have a season on them. use the elk restoreation zone as a guide line for hunting.turkeyhunternwtf

[Birdman]

In a message dated 7/14/2004 4:21:25 PM Eastern Standard Time, Nancy.McIver@ky.gov writes:

Frankfort, KY (July 15, 2004) - After having to capture and
relocate a wild bear from a neighborhood in Henry County, the Kentucky
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is reminding the public
that feeding black bears is not only ill-advised, but also illegal.
Kentucky has a slowly increasing population of black bears, most of
which are found in the far eastern end of the Commonwealth. Estimates of
the number of bears in Kentucky are not available yet, but work to determine
the population is underway. Bears have naturally migrated into the state
from Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. The KDFWR is not involved in a
bear restocking effort, but supports the presence of the species with laws
to protect bears.
As the numbers grow, bears will continue to expand their range. Kentucky
has a good deal of habitat in its eastern forests and mountains that can
support bears. Occasionally, a bear will wander long distances from where
it is born after leaving the care of its mother. Such was likely the case
with the animal that recently made its way to Campbellsburg in northcentral
Kentucky.
"After the bear showed up, the landowner made a common mistake and
began feeding the animal," said KDFWR's Big Game Program Coordinator
Jonathan Day.
"That more or less forced our hand and we then spent several
manhours and incurred the unnecessary expense of having to capture the
animal and relocate it," explained Day.
"It most likely would have moved on to less urban territory on its
own, had it not been invited to stay and enjoy free food.
"This bear was fortunate. Feeding bears puts them at risk by no
fault of their own. Sometimes feeding bears ultimately results in getting
the animal shot by a landowner or other person," Day said.
"They get used to people offering handouts, and when that source
disappears, they will move closer to homes.
"If the natural fear of humans is reduced, bears can wind up on
porches, in garages, and inside storage buildings looking for a meal.
"That's usually when we either get a call to come try to move a
bear, or to report that somebody killed a bear.
"We'd rarely get those kinds of calls if people would simply leave
bears alone and let them exist in the wild as they are meant to," said Day.
"People who enjoy seeing bears, and the idea that bears are coming
back to Kentucky share a common sentiment with the KDFWR," said Day, "but
artificially feeding them with the good intention of helping them is
ultimately more detrimental to their comeback than anything else."
So remember, if you encounter a wild bear, watch it, take a picture,
call your friends and tell them what you saw, but don't make the mistake of
feeding it so it will stay around your house, pets and neighborhood. You
could easily find yourself the reason why the bear winds up being destroyed,
rather than becoming a contributor that increases his kind for you to enjoy
more often in his natural environment. Which choice really matters most?
XXX

Looks like someone is visting this site. That's a good thing.[;)]

[Birdman]

What's the latest on the Bear Tales in South Eastern Ky.?