States Using Ballot Box To Resolve Hunting Fight

Across the country, hunters’ groups say they’re seeing an unprecedented number of hunting-oriented ballot issues this year.

In Washington, a proposed initiative would ban the use of bait and hounds for hunting bear, bobcat, cougar and lynx.

Michigan residents want to ban bear baiting, spring bear season and hunting with hounds. Massachusetts and Colorado initiatives would ban all trapping there; Massachusetts would also ban hunting with hounds for bear and bobcat. Alaska residents want to ban some airborne hunting.

In some states, hunters are responding with ballot measures of their own.

In California, where cougar hunting was banned, citizens want to re-establish hunting. They cite rising cougar attacks on people and livestock, including the mauling deaths of two women.

In Oregon, where voters two years ago banned using hounds for hunting cougar and bear, hunters this year are pushing for a new initiative overriding the last one.

, DataTimes MEMO: See related story under the headline: Battle over bear hunting