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Colorado Mule Deer Association
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Colorado Bear Bill would allow the Colorado Wildlife Commission
to establish a hunting season Prior to September 1st.
I have been concerned by the huge increase in the number of human/bear conflicts that are occurring in Colorado. I am not afraid of the bear that runs when he sees you. I am afraid of a bear that has no fear or respect for humans, that comes into a yard and destroys the family garden and fruit trees, or that comes on to a family's porch or breaks into a family's house. This is the bear that is going to hurt someone. Last Fall a little boy was killed in Utah by a bear that had been harassing campers for an extended period of time. The family of the little boy is suing the Utah Department of Wildlife for not warning them about and protecting them from this bear. About two years ago a woman was eaten by bear that she had been feeding in Ouray. Not a good idea to feed bear, but the fact remains that these bear are not afraid of humans and the day is coming when there will be another tragedy in Colorado. Last summer there was the questionable death of a homeless man involving a bear in Durango.
The bear population has exploded in Colorado. Sightings in residential areas are increasing. Until recently, there has been no way of verifying the bear population. Black bear are nocturnal and in the wild are seldom seen in the daylight. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has developed a scientific method for estimating bear numbers. They string a wire, something like a barbed wire, across a certain path where bear might travel. The wire collects hair samples from each bear that goes under it. The Division can then do a DNA analysis to determine the individual identity of each bear in that specific area and from this data they can statistically determine the number of bear in a certain area. Preliminary results show that there may be 4 times as many bear now as there were in 1992.
The Colorado Mule Deer Association and other sportsmen's' organizations have huge concerns also about the burgeoning population of black bear in Colorado . They have evidence that bear are eating a huge number of deer fawns and elk calves, a factor in the reduced numbers of these species. There is also fear that black bear are having a negative affect on other wildlife numbers.
The livestock industry is also very much affected by the increased number of black bear. Occasionally a calf of yearling steer or heifer will be killed by a bear, but bear can destroy a flock of sheep. When a bear is hungry it will eat several full grown sheep. When a bear is fat and full, he will catch a nursing ewe (female) and eat her udder for the milk and leave her to die in shock. In addition the bear harass the sheep and scatter them so that it is impossible for a sheep herder to keep them together. Sheep ranchers throughout Colorado lose thousands of sheep annually from black bear predation.
In 1992, 19 years ago, the people of the state of Colorado passed a statutory initiative which put in law the rules for black bear hunting. This was not a Constitutional amendment and purposely so. The authors of this measure and those who voted for this measure realized that the bear situation might change in time and left an opening for the legislature to make changes to the law if warranted. It is time to make some minor changes.
This week I will introduce a bill that will give the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Wildlife Commission more flexibility and authority to manage black bear in Colorado . This bill removes a small paragraph in the existing law that sets specific dates for when the Division can allow bear hunting. The paragraph deleted reads "During the period from March 1 through September 1 of any calendar year, it is unlawful for any person to take a black bear by any means including but not limited to firearm or bow and arrow." Wording to be added will say "The Commission shall determine the appropriate seasonal restrictions on the taking of black bears." This bill will give the Wildlife Commission the authority to go through the regulatory process to set bear hunting seasons including special hunts if and where needed. The law will continue to protect female black bear that are rearing their cubs and continues to prohibit taking a black bear with the use of bait or by using dogs.
I believe this is a health and safety issue. It should not be a partisan issue. I am running this bill because I think it is the right thing to do.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
J. Paul Brown
Colorado State Representative
House District 59
State Capitol
200 E. Colfax, Room 271
Denver, Colorado 80203
303-866-2914
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