Concerned Citizens Against Resource Exploitation (CCARE) is a newly formed pro hunting, Fishing, and Trapping organization. CCARE opposes the recommendation by MI DNRE Wildlife Division to issue 12,300 harvest tags for the 2010 bear-hunting season.
The Natural Resource Commission, at their monthly meeting scheduled for March 4, 2010, will make the final decision.
According to CCARE spokesman, Charles Markham, “This proposal is not based on sound science.” In a letter received by CCARE last month, the lead bear biologist for DNRE stated the MI black bear population was 11,100 prior to the 2009 bear season, a revision from the 19,000 bear estimate in the bear management plan signed by Director Humphries in June 2009.
DNRE records reflect that 2026 bears were harvested in 2009 leaving around 9,000 bear. 12,300 kill tags is a proposed increase over the previous year!
Markham explains, “The proposed 12,300 harvest tags is unsustainable “Even factoring cub numbers, DNRE has proposed the issuance of more kill tags than the total estimated number of bears in Michigan.”
CCARE urges all those concerned about Michigan bear populations to contact the Natural Resource Commission through Teresa Gloden at glodent@michigan.govprior to March 4 and express your outrage. Ask the NRC to reject this proposal and base wildlife management decisions on sound science.
For more information, visit the CCARE website at www.ccare.ws
