Expanding Bear Populations across the state could a challenge for future management
The NCWRC Big Game Committee will meet next week, 06 July @10 am, to discuss bear management in North Carolina. As the bear population across the state expands and bears move into some non traditional or previously unoccupied parts of the state the Wildlife Commission must come up with a plan on how to deal with this. Expanding hunting opportunities I’m sure will be one of the options they look at but as you get into more of the urban areas of the state hunting maybe a difficult if not impossible sell to the general public.
North Carolina has a proud bear hunting tradition with the use of hounds as the most common method utilized. Many parts of the state have pushed out hounds for deer so it is unlikely we will see support for the use of hounds to hunt bears. Still hunting for bears has a much smaller following and a lower success rate but hunters that do their homework can be successful on patterning bears. So hunting would be a great option to help control the expanding bears.
The issue of baiting should also come up under current law only hound hunters are allowed to use natural baits. I believe the intent of the law was not necessarily to allow that but to only prevent incidental game violations if hounds past deer bait sites while pursing bruins. Some hound hunters have taken full advantage and routinely bait to aid the hounds.
The issue of baiting is controversial and while I don’t have an issue with it I think the NCWRC should look at this issue carefully. I believe if its not allowed it shouldn’t be allowed for anyone.
If you have an interest in bears in this state you really should make an effort to get out and be heard on the 6th.
