Hunters Want Black Bears To Get A Break

Idaho hunters who support a proposed ballot initiative to do away with some bear hunting practices have formed a new organization.

Idaho Sportsmen for Fair Hunting oppose using bait or hounds to take black bears, as well as the spring bear season.

“We are devoted Idaho hunters who believe that hunting is a safe, ethical and responsible activity,” said Barbara Harrison of Boise.

“At the same time, we believe that spring hunting and baiting and hounding are an embarrassment to hunters in Idaho and should be eliminated.”

Harrison said she has held a sportsman’s license in Idaho for 30 years and hunts deer, elk, antelope and game birds.

The fair hunting group rejects the arguments of the Black Bear Initiative, who claim passing it is the first step toward ending hunting in Idaho, Harrison said.

“It is ridiculous to say that banning unsportsmanlike methods of hunting would lead to a ban on all hunting,” Challis bowhunter Stew Churchwell said.

“Just as the prohibition on spring, bait and hound-hunting of deer and elk have not led to further bans, the same holds true for black bears.”

The proposed initiative being circulated requires 41,335 signatures by next July to go on the November ballot.

“The attempt to eliminate unfair bear-hunting methods is right in line with Idaho’s proud hunting heritage,” Moscow bird hunter David Scott said.

Idaho is the only state in the lower 48 that still allows spring, bait- and hound-hunting for bears, Fair Hunting said.

Colorado passed an identical ballot measure in 1992, Fair Hunting said. A post-election analysis by Colorado State University revealed that 45 percent of Colorado hunters supported the initiative.

A survey by the Idaho Fish and Game Department showed a majority of big game hunters are against the bear-hunting methods in question, the group said.