The return of dogs in black bear hunting in California is more than just an abstract debate for many of us. It's personal and it impacts real lives. As someone who is deeply invested in the wellbeing and preservation of our wildlife, especially black bears, I am gravely concerned about the potential reintroduction of the cruel hunting practice of using hunting hounds to track down bears in order to kill them, even if the bears have not been getting to trash or doing anything else that might trigger human-bear conflict.

Like every other living being, wild bears are just going about their business trying to survive. They eat, sleep, look for shelter, and raise their young.  Black bears deserve to live, not be killed for trying to survive.  Bringing back hunting hounds puts every black bear at risk, and especially mothers with cubs. Their dens should be sanctuaries, not targets for hunting dogs. If you've ever seen footage of what hounds do at fox hunts in the UK, you will know how barbaric the end is when they get their 'prey'. Those cubs deserve better, as does any bear. WE can help by signing this petition and sharing it. 

Contrary to what pro-hunting advocates are suggesting, the bear population is not at an overflowing level. The hunting is not for sustenance, but rather a grotesque form of trophy hunting. The bears that are killed are not consumed, but  'harvested for parts', and left to rot.

This is not only unnecessary but also profoundly unjust, to kill any animal just for existing, whe they are already struggling because so much of their habitat has already been stolen and/or destroyed. Or they are shot and killed for being a 'nuisance' just because they have hungry cubs to feed, and residents can't be bothered to render their trash 'animal-proof', not just from bears, but racoons, and any other animal in the area foraging for food.

Ten years ago, the use of dogs in black bear hunting was banned because a significant majority, 85% of Californians, saw it for what it is – barbaric. Back then, we collectively decided to extend our compassion towards these creatures, understanding that their lives mattered. Today, we stand at a juncture again, where we must reaffirm our commitment to this humane choice and say no to hunting hounds being let loose on innocent bears (and other wildlife who might get in the way.)

Bears, like all animals, have the right to live free from fear and harm. The reversal of this ban will signal a regressive stance on wildlife welfare, and would be to the detriment of not only the bears but of our collective humanity as well.

Support this petition to ensure that the ban on using dogs in black bear hunting in California stays in place. Your action today can help prevent cruelty and unnecessary hunting practices tomorrow. Please, stand with us, for the black bears, for humanity. Sign the petition now.

For more information about this issue, go to: https://southtahoenow.com/02/25/2025/proposed-bill-would-bring-back-the-use-of-dogs-in-black-bear-hunting-in-california

To read the actual bill, for the 2025-2026 legislative session, go to: https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB1038/id/3134739

For more information about black bear rescue, visit The BEAR League: https://savebears.org/

Color photo Image Credit: Momma Lupe and baby Lupita. Photo from Ken T Huynh (Wildlife Photographer and BEAR League Volunteer Responder) 2024.

Black and white photo: Mama Sugarbear and her cub Snowflake denning for hibernation under a Tahoe home. The family is very popular on social media now. Photo credit: The BEAR League.  The cub is 5 weeks old as of the end of Feb.  Visit: https://www.facebook.com/SaveTahoeBears to see the latest webcam videos.  He is growing FAST.