Oklahoma Bear Hunting Rules
March 30, 2009
It was nearly three years ago that I reported that Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed a bill that would allow for bear hunting in Oklahoma. At that time, it was made very clear that even though he was signing this bill there were no immediate plans for a bear hunt.
By golly, he was right. Three years later rules have been laid out for a bear hunt.
?Hunting would be allowed only in Pushmataha, Le Flore, McCurtain and Latimer counties.
?Only archery and muzzleloader hunting would be permitted.
?The archery season would begin Oct. 1 and run through the Friday before deer muzzleloader season, which begins Oct. 25.
?Only 20 bears could be killed. If a total of 20 bears had not been taken by bow hunters, then muzzleloader hunting of bears would be allowed during the deer muzzleloader season: Oct. 25-Nov. 2.
?No cubs or female bears with cubs could be killed. No den hunting would be allowed. No dogs could be used.
?Baiting would be allowed on private land, but not public land.
?A bear hunting license would cost $100 for Oklahoma residents and $500 for non-residents.
I always get in trouble when I begin questioning the methods when new opportunities for hunters have been presented and so here I go again. I’ll do what I always do and say right up front that I welcome all new hunting opportunities no matter what they are. In this case, Oklahoma is offering hunters a chance at hunting black bears and I think that is exciting. But I’m having a difficult time understanding some of the methods chosen.
Above I highlighted one part. 20 bears will be the quota. I don’t have an issue with that. Officials should know how many bears can be taken to meet their management goals. What I don’t understand is why the opportunities where preferential to archery hunters? I might be missing something here, so if I am, please weigh in.
It says 20 bears will be taken total by archery hunting. If 20 bears haven’t been taken at the conclusion of the archery season, the remaining number of tags to be filled will be given to muzzle loader hunters. Why are the other methods being shut out?
I emailed the Oklahoma Division of Wildlife Conservation and as soon as I get an explanation from them, I will share it here.
Tom Remington
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Tom,
I imagine it is A safety issue because of the range of a center fire rifle maybe they are concerned that someone will mistake a black angus for a bear but then again they allow muzzle loaders which today have a two hundred yard range so that blows that theory.
Also they allow baiting on private land for archery or muzzle loaders why not center fire rifles? Most bears shot over baits are taken at 20 yards or less so what would it matter what type of weapon you used on private?
I’m not sure what they are thinking.
I see you used the same basic thought process as I did. BTW, I haven’t heard anything back from Division of Conservation. Some places are real good getting back. Some are very slow and some never respond. We’ll see.
[...] Oklahoma Division of Wildlife Conservation as to the thought process in deciding to allow for the hunting harvest of 20 black bears by archery hunting first, followed by muzzle loader hunting after that, if the 20-bear quota [...]
[...] Oklahoma Division of Wildlife Conservation as to the thought process in deciding to allow for the hunting harvest of 20 black bears by archery hunting first, followed by muzzle loader hunting after that, if the 20-bear quota [...]
WHy in the world would you kill a bear?? Do you eat bear meat?? Whats the purpose? If your man enough to murder them your man enough to give an explanation.
Cindy,
I’m up here in North Idaho and we have a lot of bears. Just on my property last year I saw 12 different bears and I only have 40 acres. I don’t hunt bears and really do not care to shoot one because we don’t eat bear meat, we prefer elk and deer. Many of the people up here do hunt bear and really like the meat. Most I know make sausage, jerky and burger with it. I did try some breakfast sausage a friend gave me last fall and I must admit it was probably some of the best I had eaten. Bears are very prolific animals and there numbers are quite good. Black bears are also a big time predator of elk calves and with the wolves growing in numbers it leaves less and less for the bears. It’s really sad to see a bear running off with an elk calf in its mouth and the calf bauling like crazy until the end. Thats nature, it’s cruel and we are all a part of it.
I am just sick that someone would want to kill a black bear. They are the most beautiful animal alive. I am not aware of a problem with them in this part of the country. Why someone would want to kill something just for the fun of it is beyond me. Anyone that would kill a black bear would kill their own dog or cat for the hell of it. Leave this animal alone.
Suzanne,
You apparently don’t have a clue of the need for animal management.