8 • May 24-26, 2020 STATE bransonglobe.com MDC wants public comments on proposed bear-hunting season By Joe Jerek May Courtesy of MDC JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking initial public input on a proposed limited and highly regulated hunting season for black bears through June 5, open only to Missouri residents. If approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission, a season could be activated as soon as the fall of 2021. MDC is asking for initial public comments. According to MDC, over the last 50 years bear numbers in the Missouri Ozarks have increased significantly and today Missouri is home to between 540 – 840 black bears. Bear numbers are increasing each year and bear range in the state is expanding. “With Missouri’s growing black bear population, MDC is proposing the development of a limited and highly regulated bear hunting season,” said MDC Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee. “The hunting season would provide Missouri residents with the opportunity to participate in the sustainable harvest of a valuable natural resource. The timing and length of the season, restrictive methods and permit allocation coupled with a harvest quota will initially be limited to ensure a sustainable harvest of our growing black bear population.” Conlee said limited black bear hunting will be an essential part of population management in the future as Missouri’s bear numbers continue to grow. Learn more about Missouri’s black-bear population, MDC bear research, how to “Be Bear Aware” and the potential black bear hunting season through the MDC Wild Webcast on Missouri Black Bears with Conlee on May 27, at 10 a.m. Register in advance at short.mdc. mo.gov/Zh8 then join the webcast live on May 27 at 10 a.m. Learn more about a potential black bear hunting season in Missouri through this brief video at youtube.com/watch?v=LWy76Dt0cDs&feature=youtu.be. Most of Missouri’s estimated 540-840 black bears are found south of the Missouri River and primarily south of Interstate 44. MDC proposes to establish three Bear Management Zones (BMZ) in southern Missouri. MDC is proposing a limited hunting season for black bears in Missouri that would begin annually on the third Monday in October and run for 10 days or until BMZ-specific quotas are reached, whichever comes first. Hunting hours would be a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour hour after sunset. The proposal would limit black bear hunting to Missouri residents. Harvest quotas for each of the three BMZs would be determined annually each spring by the Conservation Commission based on recommendations by MDC. Quotas have not yet been established for the future season. Once the specific harvest quotas are filled for each BMZ, the season for that BMZ would be closed. Hunters would need to call in each morning they intend to hunt to determine if the BMZ-specific quota has been reached. If harvest quotas are not SEE BEAR SEASON, PAGE 11 The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking initial public input through June 5 on a proposed limited and highly regulated hunting season for black bears, only to Missouri residents. (Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation)
9 Publizr Home