A Northern California lawmaker, Assemblymember Heather Hadwick, has introduced AB 1038 aiming to legalize hounding bears as a management strategy to control the increasing black bear population in the state. Hadwick argues that the ban on using dogs to chase bears, enacted in 2013, has exacerbated the situation by allowing bear populations to grow unchecked, resulting in dangerous interactions with humans. The bill has drawn criticism, particularly from groups like the BEAR League, which disputes the claims about the bear population and advocates for alternative solutions to bear management.
California's black bear population has surged, prompting lawmakers like Assemblymember Heather Hadwick to propose legalizing hounding as a means to manage bear-human interactions.
With the ban on hounding contributing to increased bear populations, Assemblymember Hadwick argues that a legal pursuit season could deter bears from encroaching on human habitat.
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