Stop The Oklahoma Bear Hunt Expansion

A new proposal presented by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) aims to expand bear hunting. Currently, bear hunting is allowed in four counties, if the proposal passes an additional 10-11 counties will be added.

The motivation behind the expansion is to offer hunters an opportunity to kill more bears. “We think that hunters should have as much opportunities as the population will stand,” - Joe Hemphill, southeast region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department.

In a State where bears were once on the verge of extinction due to overhunting, we the undersigned find this proposal careless and ill-conceived. ODWC’s absence of science to support a bear hunt expansion is alarming. As an agency in charge of “managing wildlife,” human interests, such as, hunting opportunities should never be a determining factor in a proposal that could negatively impact the bear population.

It is important to note:

• The total bear population in Oklahoma is unknown.
• There is no harvest quota for bear archery season.
• No limit to the number of bear hunting licenses sold.

Public input will be considered.

If you cannot attend the ODWC's public meeting on March 7th, please fill out the online survey and public comment form: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/public-meeting

For more information visit: https://www.beardefenders.org/