Hunt Reformers Hire Signature Gatherers

Bear-baiting foes said Tuesday they’re hiring people to help gather signatures for a November initiative that would ban some types of bear hunting.

Organizers said the step was necessary because volunteers have been intimidated and bullied by foes of the initiative.

“I have had husbands call me to say that they were not going to allow their wives to collect signatures any more because they feared for their physical safety,” said Lynn Fritchman, spokesman for the Idaho Coalition United for Bears.

“This issue deserves to be voted on by all Idaho citizens and we are not going to allow a bunch of hooligans to prevent its appearance on the ballot and thus thwart the democratic process.”

I-CUB needs 41,335 signatures by July 5 to put the initiative on the ballot this November. Fritchman said the group has about 75 percent of the signatures.

The initiative would ban the use of bait or hounds to hunt bear, as well as spring bear hunting, which can orphan cubs.

Foes of the initiative blasted I-CUB’s move as “a gasp of desperation.”

“This day will long be remembered as the day the anti-hunting groups bought and paid for their agenda in Idaho,” said Don Clower, chairman of the Sportsmen’s Heritage Defense Fund.

Clower disputes I-CUB members’ statements that they’ve been harassed.

He also criticized the timing of I-CUB’s move, pointing out that the group won’t have to file another financial disclosure report for months. Clower’s group contends that I-CUB is largely financed by out-of-state animal rights groups.

“I-CUB has purposely dodged Idaho’s disclosure laws to hide their intentions and their real source of money,” said Clower.

, DataTimes