Legislative Committee Votes Overwhelmingly to Block Bear Hunt

Photo: Up Close Picture of a Black Bear staring into the camera

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 Legislative Committee Votes Overwhelmingly to Block Bear Hunt Governor Ehrlich Must Decide Whether to Hunt Bears for Trophies ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 25, 2004) - Late today, after hearing three hours of public testimony, the Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review voted 12 to 7 to reject a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposal to hunt black bears for the first time in more than half a century. The bear hunt is scheduled to begin in October, and Governor Robert Ehrlich now must decide whether to respect the decision of the committee, which has jurisdiction over state agency regulations, or to push forward with the trophy hunt. "This lopsided vote sends a strong signal to Governor Ehrlich that his administration's effort to hunt bears is way out of step with the wishes of Marylanders," said Michael Markarian, President of The Fund for Animals. "Rather than thumb his nose at the science and the public process, Governor Ehrlich should put the brakes on this misguided attempt to reverse a bear protection policy that has been a Maryland tradition for more than fifty years." The Maryland black bear population, once hunted to near extinction, is now estimated by the DNR to be between 266 and 437 bears. Governor Ehrlich and the DNR have proposed a trophy hunt of 30 bears to take place this fall, despite a lack of scientific studies on how the hunt would impact the bear population and a lack of analysis of black bear habitat needs. A poll conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies revealed last week that Maryland voters - including voters in western Maryland where bears are present - oppose the bear hunt. "The responsibility now rests squarely on Governor Ehrlich's shoulders, and he has two choices," said Wayne Pacelle, President of The Humane Society of the United States. "He can support the National Rifle Association and the trophy hunting groups that want to kill bears for their heads and hides, or he can choose to respect the wishes of Maryland citizens and legislators and address bear problems with humane, constructive solutions." The Fund for Animals and The HSUS have appealed to the Governor and the DNR to call off the bear hunt and have offered $75,000 to augment the state's educational programs teaching people to solve bear conflicts, and to compensate farmers fully for agricultural damage caused by bears. The offer has not been accepted. For more information on Maryland's black bears, please visit www.marylandbears.com.