On February 25, 2022, Despite the overwhelming public opposition that included 2,744 comments, 86% percent in opposition, and our petition with over 7,600 signatures, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) voted unanimously to open up the Pisgah, Panthertown-Bonas Defeat, and Standing Indian Bear Sanctuaries (92,500 acres) to bear hunting and hunting with dogs.

In addition, they approved a regulation that changed the term "designated bear sanctuary" to "designated bear management area."

North Carolina Bear Sanctuaries were established more than fifty years ago and were created to protect bears. The bear sanctuaries have become revered destinations for residents and tourists alike. The beauty, serene environment and the prospect of seeing bears have drawn people from all over the world. These once peaceful escapes will soon be taken over by bear hunters and hunting dogs, which endangers bears, other wildlife, the people who live in these areas, and those who visit.

The NCWRC initiated the proposal (G13-Bears) to hunt in bear sanctuaries under the guise that bears were overpopulating. They stated that the U.S. Forest Service requested the proposal to address increased "bear-human interactions." The NCWRC failed to mention that the request was submitted in 2018, and the USFS only requested the Panthertown Bear Sanctuary to be opened to hunting.

Additionally, the problem with bear-human interactions has since been subsequently resolved by introducing food lockers. Over the past two years, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has not received any complaints regarding bear-human interactions, and there are plans to install more food lockers as a proactive measure in preventing future bear-human interactions.

The truth is bears are not overpopulating or causing any bear-human conflicts. The NCWRC pushed this false narrative to appease trophy hunting organizations such as Safari Club International, which provides substantial funds to wildlife agencies. Wildlife agencies cater to minority special interest groups while ignoring the majority of their stakeholders. It is important to note that science and data have proven that hunting does not reduce bear-human conflicts.

All hope is not lost. The fight is not over!
Once the NCWRC adopts a rule, it must be approved by the Rules Review Commission (RRC).

We spoke with a representative from the RRC who has informed us of the proper procedures to follow when objecting to a rule. The NCWRC's newly adopted rules regarding bear sanctuaries (15A NCAC 10D .0106 BEAR SANCTUARIES) will be considered at the RRC's April meeting.

The RRC must receive ten or more letters requesting a delayed effective date and legislative review of the rules. You do not have to be a North Carolina resident to write an objection. We are formulating an easy step-by-step call to action to submit your objection in compliance with the statutory grounds put forth by the RRC. An action alert will be posted soon. If you have any questions or inquiries, please email us at contact@oneprotest.org.

In the meantime, please sign our petition and HAB's petition and keep the pressure on the NCWRC Commissioners by letting them know how you feel about their decision to kill bears and endanger the public.

Petitions
Stop Trophy Hunters From Killing N​C Bears In Designated Bear Sanctuaries
https://www.change.org/p/stop-trophy-hunters-from-killing-n-c-bears-in-designated-bear-sanctuaries-cb1f99de-cddc-444b-8605-6c0d018982e4?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=5e6c0270-37fd-0130-3fc0-3c764e04a6dd

Please demand NCWRC not allow bear hunting on sanctuary lands
https://www.thepetitionsite.comhttps://www.thepetitionsite.com/951/061/847/please-demand-ncwrc-not-allow-bear-hunting-on-sanctuary-lands/?fbclid=IwAR0iSA3bpXDYj1GIybJN9yK6oGgW429Q3MmjH6ulnLf_Q0TbQlROHGIMz7A/.../please-demand-ncwrc.../

Contact the NCWRC Commissioners.

Monty R. Crump, Chairman
801 Williamsburg Drive
Rockingham, NC 28379
910-206-5615

monty@gorockingham.com
Thomas L. Fonville, Vice-Chairman
3308 Bellewood Forest Circle
Raleigh, NC 27612
919-880-6435
No email.

Kelly Davis
Post Office Box 51
Swan Quarter, NC 27885
252-944-3685
kelly.davis@ncwildlife.org

Michael (Mike) K. Alford
1408 Western Blvd.
Jacksonville, NC 28546
910-389-6981
mike.alford@ncwildlife.org
Wes Seegars

401 Patetown Road
Goldsboro, NC 27530
919-922-0918
wes@seegarsfence.com

Stephen L. Windham
Post Office Box 1489
Wilmington, NC 28402
910-431-0740
swindham@windhamdistributing.com

Thomas (Tom) M. Haislip, Jr.
2307 Rockwood Drive
Sanford, NC 27330
919-842-0088
tom.haislip@ncwildlife.org

James (Jim) Ruffin
2871 Galsworthy Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
336-345-0972
james.ruffin@ncwildlife.org

David Hoyle, Jr.
Post Office Box 708
Dallas, NC 28034
davidwhoylejr@gmail.com

Brad Stanback
Post Office Box 1259
Canton, NC 28716
828-646-9447
castanea@bellsouth.net

Hayden Rogers
158 Waldroup Road
Brasstown, NC 28902
828-837-4850
hrogersnc@gmail.com

J. Carlton (J.C.) Cole
Post Office Box 400
Hertford, NC 27944
252-426-7962
jc.cole@ncwildlife.org

Thomas A. Berry
2200 East Bessemer Ave.
Greensboro, NC 27402
336-273-8663
Tom.Berry@berico.com

John M. Alexander, Jr.
Post Office Box 26837
Raleigh, NC 27611
919-645-3766
jmalexajr@aol.com

Mark Craig
1620 Fairfax Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
336-209-0740
mcraig@rhbarringer.com

Landon G. Zimmer
Post Office Box 2628
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-765-0431
Landon.zimmer@ncwildlife.org

Vernon (Ray) Clifton, Jr.
720 Campbell Road
Clarkton, NC 28433
910-648-2116
ray.clifton@ncwildlife.org

John T. Coley IV
Post Office Box 38
Holly Springs, NC 27540
coley@bpropnc.com

John A. Stone
Post Office Box 82
Pinehurst, NC 28370
910-295-8201
John.stone@ncwildlife.org