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SALT LAKE CITY — Due to the growing number of black bears in Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources officials are proposing more hunting opportunities to help manage the population.
The black bear population has grown from around 2,000 in the 1990s to more than 4,100 that now roam Utah, according to a DWR news release. Due to the growing number, black bears are coming into contact with humans and livestock more frequently and have to be euthanized due to aggression. On average, around 50 bears have to be euthanized each year after coming into conflict with people and livestock, and in 2014, that number increased to 81 bears, the news release said.
To manage the bear population and decrease the number of animals that are euthanized, the DWR has proposed several changes for the 2015 Utah black bear hunt. Here is a list of the following recommended changes:
Spring limited-entry hunt
This hunt would run from April 4 to June 5 and would allow hunters to use trained hunting dogs. Hunters could also spot-and-stalk to get a better shot.
Summer limited-entry hunt
Hunters who obtained a permit for this hunt would be able to hunt over bait using a firearm or archery tackle, the news release said. However, hunters could not use trained hunting dogs during this hunt. Hunters would be allowed to place bait on May 30, but couldn’t start hunting until June 6. This hunt would run until July 2.
Fall limited-entry hunt
This hunt would run from Aug. 22 to Sept. 28 and from Oct. 31 to Nov. 19. This hunt would allow people to use a trained hunting dog, spot-and-stalk tactics or hunting over bait with a firearm or archery equipment. However, the dates and hunting methods would differ on a couple of units, the news release said.
Fall limited-entry, archery-only hunt
This new proposed hunt would be offered in two areas in Utah and would run from Aug. 10 to Sept. 11. Hunters could hunt over bait, but could only use archery equipment. Trained hunting dogs would not be allowed during this hunt.
Harvest-objective hunt
DWR biologists would set a quota for the number of permits for each unit and hunters could buy a permit over the counter as long as they are available. When the harvest objective on a unit is met, that unit will close to bear hunting for the rest of the season. This hunt would be offered on a few units during the spring and on one unit in the fall, the news release said.
Utah hunters killed between 230 to 270 black bears each year for the past three years, and DWR officials said the recommended hunting changes will allow hunters to kill between 300 to 320 bears in 2015.
The public is invited to give feedback on the proposed hunting changes. People can attend their regional advisory council meeting or can email their regional council member.
