There is little argument that black bear numbers in Colorado have increased exponentially in the past 19 years, bringing with those numbers significant problems that cannot be dealt with by the Colorado Division of Wildlife under the present law.
In addition to eating hundreds of deer fawns and elk calves and the increased human-bear conflicts, the livestock industry is also very much affected by the increased number of black bears. Occasionally a calf, or yearling steer or heifer will be killed by a bear, but bears can destroy a flock of sheep. When a bear is hungry, it will eat several full-grown sheep.
When a bear is fat and full, he will catch a nursing ewe, eat her udder for the milk and leave her to die in shock. Additionally, bears harass sheep and scatter them so that it is impossible for a sheepherder to keep them together. Weight gains of lambs are reduced when bears harass sheep flocks. Sheep ranchers throughout Colorado lose thousands of sheep annually from black bear predation, resulting in losses of millions of dollars that could have been multiplied through the economy.
In 1992 the people of the state of Colorado passed a statutory initiative that put in law the rules for black bear hunting. This was not a constitutional amendment and purposely so. Authors of this measure and those who voted for this measure realized the bear situation might change in time and left an opening for the Legislature to make changes to the law if warranted. It is time to make some minor changes.
I have introduced a bill that will give the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Wildlife Commission more flexibility and authority to manage black bears. Sen. Jean White from Northwestern Colorado is the Senate sponsor. This bill removes a small paragraph in the existing law that sets specific dates for when the division can allow bear hunting. The paragraph deleted reads, During the period from March 1 through September 1 of any calendar year, it is unlawful for any person to take a black bear by any means including but not limited to firearm or bow and arrow.
Wording to be added will say, The Commission shall determine the appropriate seasonal restrictions on the taking of black bears. This bill will give the wildlife commission the authority to go through the regulatory process to set bear hunting seasons, including special hunts if and where needed. The law will continue to protect female black bears that are rearing their cubs and continues to prohibit taking a black bear with the use of bait or by using dogs.
This issue is serious, and I, more than anyone in the legislature, have had experience with black bears and the problem that now exists due to the their increased numbers.
This is a health and safety issue. It should not be a partisan issue, and it is the right thing to do.
J. Paul Brown represents House District 59 in Colorados General Assembly. The district encompasses San Juan, Archuleta and La Plata counties and parts of Montezuma County. Contact Rep. Brown at (303) 866-2914 or by email at [email protected].
