Hunting bears is currently off limits. The population of black bears in Missouri isn’t large enough so they are still protected, but a new study might be changing that.
“So far, researchers have trapped 14 bears and put collars with GPS trackers on eight of them. The cooperative study between the conservation department and Missouri State University will continue into 2011 and will play a role in considering a hunting season for an animal that is currently off-limits, department spokesman Jim Low said.”
One thing to consider before hunting bears is when to do it. Around half the states in the US allow bear hunting but only a few allow a spring hunting season. Hunting in the spring can leave cubs to fend for themselves. While bears can survive, they will not have their mothers to teach them where to feed. If the bears don’t know their natural feeding grounds they may be urged to roam into populated areas to find easier food, such as garbage. Wandering bears would be contradicting the reason for the hunting in the first place. Bear hunting is done for the same reasons as other hunting, populations need to be controlled. Too many bears in one area can be detrimental to other species in the ecosystem, and if too many bears occupy the same territory they will again be forced to roam into populated areas to find food.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20101003/NEWS01/10030350/State-tracking-black-bears
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