Groups Ask Governor Ehrlich to Halt Bear Hunt and Conduct Independent Scientific Review

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Black Bear Task Force Frequently Asked Questions Legislative History Links and Resources Multimedia Natural History Recent News July 24 Rally for the Bears Would you like to receive the latest campaign news or learn about an event near you? your email address: » Tell Governor Ehrlich and Secretary Franks to Oppose Bear Hunting		About Maryland Bears Groups Ask Governor Ehrlich to Halt Bear Hunt and Conduct Independent Scientific Review ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 2, 2004)--In light of an independent scientific analysis seriously calling into question the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) scientific basis for the first bear hunt in more than 50 years, The Fund for Animals and The Humane Society of the United States today asked Governor Robert Ehrlich to withdraw the proposal to allow bear hunting because the analysis necessitates further review. Last week, the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review voted 12 to 7 against the hunt--showing bipartisan opposition to the bear hunt--and the decision whether to hunt bears this October for the first time in half a century is now in Governor Ehrlich’s hands. Dr. Phillip I. Good, an expert on mathematical statistics and the author of 32 scholarly publications and six textbooks, including Common Errors in Statistics: (And How to Avoid Them), recently reviewed the DNR’s bear population data and analysis, and concluded that, rather than representing sound science, the DNR’s report is "inappropriate and grossly in error," because it makes fundamental statistical mistakes. In addition, the National Academy of Sciences has offered to review the issue of bear hunting in Maryland. The Fund and HSUS asked Governor Ehrlich to arrange for additional scientific review. "Governor Ehrlich claims he is committed to basing the bear hunt decision on sound science," said Michael Markarian, President of The Fund for Animals. "In light of this new, devastating critique of the DNR’s primary scientific basis for the bear hunt, the Governor simply must put the brakes on this unscientific, half-baked, trophy hunting scheme. We know the Governor wants to see sound science from his agencies, not junk science and fuzzy math." The groups suggest that if the Governor is unwilling to cancel or delay the bear hunt, the proposed regulation should at least be modified to mitigate the effects of the bear hunt by, for example, ensuring that bears are hunted only on private lands in conjunction with landowners who have experienced bear damage, that poachers do not take advantage of the open season, that the hunting of female bears with cubs is prohibited, and that inhumane and primitive weapons such as archery equipment and muzzleloaders are banned. "One of the country’s leading experts in data evaluation has looked at the facts and revealed that Maryland’s justification for this hunt is no more than a house of cards," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "It’s time for Governor Ehrlich to come clean and admit that this hunt has nothing to do with wildlife management, and everything to do with appeasement of the trophy hunting lobby." A copy of today's letter is available at: www.MarylandBears.com/docUploads. For more information on Maryland’s bear hunt: www.MarylandBears.com.