Press advisory bear hearing

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 Maryland Court to Hear Request to Halt Bear Hunt UPPER MARLBORO, MD (October 15, 2004) - The Prince George's County Circuit Court is scheduled on Monday to hear a case presented by The Fund for Animals, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and several Maryland residents against the states' first trophy hunt of black bears in more than 50 years, which is set to begin on October 25. The groups are asking for an injunction to block the bear hunt. WHEN: Monday, October 18th, 10 a.m.> WHERE: Circuit Court for Prince George's County Courtroom 254M Judge Thomas P. Smith 14735 Main Street Upper Marlboro, MD The groups charged that the Department of Natural Resource's bear hunt regulations violate several Maryland laws. They also highlight that the agency failed to provide the public with a sound or plausible rationale for the decision to permit bear hunting and instead relied on faulty science concerning the size of the state's bear population. In addition, the groups stated that the DNR made its decision without first determining the public's views on bears and how they should be managed. The Fund for Animals and The HSUS had 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. Governor Ehrlich and the DNR refused the offer. On August 25, the Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review voted 12 to 7 to reject the DNR's proposed regulations, yet Governor Robert Ehrlich and the DNR pushed forward anyway. For more information on Maryland's black bears, please visit www.MarylandBears.com. A copy of the petition for review and motion for stay are available on the web at www.MarylandBears.com/docuploads.