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Hound hunting bears.
CALIFORNIA – OPINION: Bear hunting: Leash the hounds
A proposed California Senate bill to outlaw the use of dogs to hunt bears and bobcats in the state gets a hearing Tuesday before the Natural Resources and Water Committee and the dozens of supporters and opponents expected to show. The hunting of bears and bobcats (not mountain lions) is legal but highly regulated in California. There are quotas, seasons and various limitations, such as a ban on killing cubs or mother bears with cubs in tow. The state does allow hunters to deploy dogs, often outfitted with radio telemetry devices on their collars, to track bears or bobcats. Hunting groups and American Kennel Club officials say this is a sporting, athletic endeavor for hunters and hounds alike. Animal welfare advocates, including the Humane Society of the United States, which sponsored the bill being introduced by state Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), say this practice is cruel to bears and unsporting. MORE
NEWFOUNDLAND – Big game moose licences reduced
The Department of Environment and Conservation Wildlife Division has reduced moose licences by 630 for the 2012-13 big game hunting season. On the Island of Newfoundland, the overall moose quota for the 2012-13 season is 32,810 (17,620 either-sex, 15,090 male-only or calf and 100 female-only or calf). The ratio of male-only and either-sex licences has also been restructured to reflect past practices where more traditional 50/50 splits occurred. Of the available moose licences, 250 will be provided to registered non-profit and charitable organizations. Applicants for the charitable licences are advised a new deadline date of June 1 has been established for submitting applications. MORE
TEXAS – Tips for better food plots from a farmer
I learned something important about food plots last summer; if you want to learn how to make stuff grow, ask a farmer. The clover plot I’m kneeling in here is Exhibit 3203 in a file I keep titled, “I’m not slow, things just take me a long time.” I’ve been planting clover with varying degrees of success for the past several seasons. Last summer, I asked the guy who owns this property—who happens to be a neighbor and bowhunting buddy—for help in establishing a clover plot in this little field. Alan, a successful farmer, jumped right in with both expertise and equipment. Here’s what he taught me. MORE
PENNSYLVANIA – Deer hunter survey offers interesting perspectives
Age strongly influences attitudes and perceptions of deer hunters. Deer hunters have long been recognized as Pennsylvania’s most devoted hunters and their commitment to hunting has helped keep wildlife management afloat in this state for almost 100 years. But who are these people? How and where do they hunt deer? Do they support or oppose the agency’s deer management program? The results of a recent Pennsylvania Game Commission survey of 5,892 randomly selected deer hunters now sheds light on their preferences. MORE
