There’s a growing push in Oregon to end the spring bear hunting season, with animal rights and environmental groups calling for the two-month hunt to be banned altogether. They’ve been flooding the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) with letters, claiming spring bear hunting is cruel and harmful to the environment. Meanwhile, hunters and pro-hunting organizations are fighting back, emphasizing that the bear population is healthy and growing, and that hunting is vital for conservation efforts.

The ODFW Commission is set to review the 2025 hunting regulations, which include minor changes to bear quotas and a new youth hunting season. While hunters are confident the season will continue, they’re staying alert, especially after a similar ban was successfully implemented in Washington. The debate is heating up, with both sides rallying support before the final decision is made.

Read the full article here in Field and Stream.