Unbearable Initiative?

Bear hunting

While hunting critics gather initiative signatures to put restrictions on bear hunting before Idaho voters this fall, hunting supporters have gotten enough support to let Oregon voters decide whether to repeal restrictions on bear and cougar hunting in that state.

Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling said that opponents of the law had turned in more than the necessary 73,261 petition signatures to put an initiative measure repealing the law on the general election ballot.

The law forbids using bait to hunt bear and using dogs to hunt bear or cougar. Voters approved the statute in November 1994, 629,000-586,000.

The Idaho proposal applies only to bears, banning baiting or using dogs. It also eliminates the spring bear hunting season. Initiative backers have until July 5 to collect the required 41,335 registered voter signatures.