ALERT
For more information contact Big Wildlife at brian@bigwildlife.org or call 604-618-1030.

For a sample letter to the California Fish and Game Commission or for more details click here: Big Wildlife Bear Action Alert

TWO STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP STOP EXPANSION OF BEAR HUNTING ACROSS CALIFORNIA

1) Please urge the California Fish and Game Commission to reject plans to dramatically expand bear hunting throughout the state. Deadline for public comments on proposals: March 13, 2010

2) Public meeting on bear hunting proposals: March 3, 2010 (see details below)

Every year, more than 2,000 bears are legally killed by hunters across California. An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 black bears are legally hunted each year in the US and Canada, while an unknown number are also illegally poached. Shockingly, it is even legal for trophy hunters in California to chase bears with packs of hounds.

To make matters worse, the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) has proposed dramatically expanding bear hunting across the state. Earlier this month, the CDFG unveiled its plans to: increase the hunt quota from 1,700 to 2,500 bears or eliminate a cap altogether and expand hunting into other areas of the state, including San Luis Obispo county. The agency also plans to allow the use of global positioning system (GPS) collars and treeing switches on dogs while bear hunting. (A treeing switch alerts hunters when hounds have chased a bear up a tree.) The California Fish and Game Commission will ultimately decide to accept or reject the CDFG's proposals.

If these proposals are adopted, bears will have virtually have no place to hide in California.

Click here to watch hound hunt of bear. WARNING: video is graphic and disturbing.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
*Urge the California Fish and Game Commission to reject the CDFG proposals. See our sample letter here.

To contact the California Fish and Game Commission:
Email: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 653-4899
Fax: (916) 653-5040

Mailing address:
California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

*Attend the California Fish and Game Commission meeting on the bear hunting proposals. The next Commission meeting is scheduled in Ontario, California on March 3, 2010.

MEETING DATE: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

MEETING TIME: Meeting begins at 8:30 AM, though the bear hunting proposals will likely be later in the day

MEETING LOCATION:
DoubleTree Hotel, Ontario Airport
DoubleTree Ballroom
222 N. Vineyard Ave.
Ontario, California
(909) 937-0900

--
Brian Vincent, Communications Director, Big Wildlife
Phone: 604-618-1030
Email: brian@bigwildlife.org
Web: www.bigwildlife.org