ADOBE STOCK
In Washington state , the regulation process for the spring permit-only bear hunt was turned into a soap opera of epic proportions . Political malfeasance , legal red tape , unappointed commissioners and commissioners muddying scientific findings by repeating HSUS talking points in meetings swung the vote against a bear hunt taking place … and then back again … and possibly back again to no hunt taking place after the appointment of three new commissioners , two of which have backgrounds in large carnivore protectionism ( as opposed to conservation ). above : Managing predators goes hand-in-hand with managing big-game species . Anti-hunters , however , argue predator populations should go unchecked to run their course , destroying deer and elk herds .
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission was flooded with calls and emails after the HSUS , Center for Biological Diversity ( CBD ) and Mountain Lion Foundation ( MLF ) held a webinar for their followers on what to say concerning banning mountain lion , bobcat and bear hunting during an open comment period for the state ’ s five-year management plan .
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