Bear Hunting Leaders Meet To Fortify Defense
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Bear Hunting Leaders Meet To Fortify Defense





An alliance of sportsmen’s groups concerned about unyielding attacks against bear hunting recently came together to discuss nationwide threats to the sport.

On June 2-3, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Bear Hunter Rights Coalition (BHRC) held its 2nd annual meeting in Hudson, Wisconsin. The BHRC was formed in 2003 to thwart anti-hunters’ efforts to eliminate bear hunting. During the meeting, members and prospective associates evaluated coalition campaigns and began to prepare for future assaults by the anti-hunting movement.

“As a coalition, we have stopped a federal ban on bear hunting over bait, campaigned to defeat ballot issues to ban bear hunting in Maine and Alaska, and worked with key legislators to block anti-bear hunting bills in Maryland, Maine and New Jersey,” said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs, as he recapped BHRC victories. “These were impressive feats considering the tenacity and deep pockets of the anti-hunting movement.”

The BHRC members including prospective new members such as the American Plott Association, Minnesota Trail Hounds Association, United Houndsmen of Colorado and Vermont Bear Hound Association are interested in coordinating resources to continue to defend bear hunting. They realize that the struggle to protect the sport has just begun.

Today, the BHRC is fighting to protect sportsmen’s interests in a lawsuit brought by anti’s against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that will make black bears in Florida off-limits to hunters. Anti’s contend that bears in Florida are a separate sub-species of the North American black bear, and as such deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act. Extensive research by the USFWS has determined that the listing is not warranted.

On the horizon, the BHRC anticipates working again this fall to protect New Jersey’s black bear season. In recent years, the group has been involved in numerous lawsuits to protect the recently established hunt. Also on the agenda are opportunities to expand bear hunting in a number of other states.

The BHRC is also monitoring a petition brought by anti’s demanding that the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) amend the categories by which it lists imperiled species. The antis’ tactic is to obstruct the delisting of the black bears, whether at the state or federal level.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance appreciates the Wisconsin Bear Hunters for hosting the BHRC meeting and Bear Hunting Magazine for sponsoring the meeting’s breakfast.

We need your help! For more information or to join the Bear Hunter Rights Coalition, contact Rob Sexton at (614) 888-4868 or rsexton@ussportsmen.org.

The current members of the BHRC include:

Bear Hunting Magazine
California Houndsmen for Conservation
Central Florida Bear Hunters Association
Daniel Boone Bear Club
Maine Professional Guides Association
Michigan Bear Hunter’s Association
Michigan Bow Hunters Association
Michigan Hunting Dog Federation
Michigan State United Coonhunter’s Association
Minnesota Bowhunters, Inc.
North Carolina Bear Hunters Association
Prudence Island Bowhunters, Inc.
Tennessee Bear Hunters Association
Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association
Vermont Bear Hound Association
Virginia Bear Hunter’s Association
Virginia Houndsman & Sporting Dogs Association
Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association
Wisconsin Bowhunters Association
US Sportmens Alliance on Target

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