There have been more than two-dozen reported bear attacks during summer 2010, resulting in the death or injury to livestock and humans in rural and urban areas.
New Mexico’s bear overpopulation is creating community problems in the state’s mountainous regions. New Mexico State Game Commission reserves the right to change rules and regulations when necessary, and on Oct. 28 its offering residences an opportunity to vote on the current bear management strategy. The Department Game and Fish’s proposal would enable hunters to kill 80 percent more bears over the next four years.
This is an important community issue that affects farmers in rural areas, instills fear in urban residences and involves huge risks for future bear populations.
Increasing the bear kill limit is an unjustifiable short-term solution to bear and cougar overpopulation. It lacks empirical evidence, possible alternatives and public awareness programs for building political capital for the future of New Mexico bears.
WildEarth Guardians, Animal Protection of New Mexico and the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club vehemently believe the proposal is too drastic.
“These hunt proposals, with their extreme prejudice against females, have the potential to bring cougar and black bear populations to the brink of extinction in New Mexico,” said Wendy Keefover-Ring, of WildEarth Guardians. “Females are not only the mothers of kittens and cubs — they are critical to the population. Females provide the resilience needed when populations are overhunted.”
According to Animal Protection of New Mexico, five things can be done to resolve the NMDGF’s intense bear policy: The NMDGF should revert back to a bear quota of 335 per year for 2011. Yearly hunt quotas should be based on a scientific understanding of bear biology and strive to maintain adequate female bear populations. Those seeking bear hunting permits should have to take an education course about bear sex identification, and finally the commission should review and revise bear management annually based off the latest data and public comments.
The commission’s current four-year regulatory cycles are too rigid to adeptly manage bear populations and will effectively shut out public input until 2014. These conditions are perfect for building the foundation of political capital for bears.
APNM suggests “Twelve ways you can build political capital” for New Mexico bears. The APNM website says to “ … write letters to the editor, pledge to call other animal advocates during the state’s legislative session; attend hearings on key animal protection bills during the legislative session; get involved with your local government; support pro-animal candidates, and No. 12, and most importantly, vote!”
The New Mexico Game Commission will make a final decision on bear and cougar hunting quotas at its hearing in Ruidoso on Oct. 28.
In past meetings, more than 400 community members showed up, many of whom decried the proposed cougar and bear quotas. The commission also received 1,400 emails opposing to the quotas.
If you would like more information about the issue and when/where to vote visit the Animal Protection of New Mexico’s website: apvnm.org/events/animal_advocacy_day.php
Or contact Wendy Keefover-Ring, WildEarth Guardians 303-819-5229 or Phil Carter, Animal Protection of N.M. 505-967-5297
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