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Ken M
I don' t have it handy, but recently read an article about the explosion of bears in Ca, also. There is a higher population now than 100 years ago.
They are hunted state-wide, particularly in the National Forests. Last year the voters voted to outlaw the use of dogs. I don't believe trapping or baiting has been allowed for a long time.
That was actually two years ago.
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http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB1221
Senate Bill No. 1221
CHAPTER 595
An act to amend Section 3960 of, to add Sections 3032, 3960.2, 3960.4, and 3960.6 to, and to repeal Section 4756 of, the Fish and Game Code, relating to mammals.
[ Approved by Governor September 26, 2012. Filed with Secretary of State September 26, 2012. ]
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http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fgc&group=03001-04000&file=3950-3961
3960. (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Pursue" means pursue, run, or chase.
(2) "Bear" means any black bear (Ursus americanus) found in the
wild in this state.
(b) It is unlawful to permit or allow any dog to pursue any big
game mammal during the closed season on that mammal, to pursue any
fully protected, rare, or endangered mammal at any time, to pursue
any bear or bobcat at any time, or to pursue any mammal in a game
refuge or ecological reserve if hunting within that refuge or
ecological reserve is unlawful.
(c) (1) The department may take any of the following actions:
(A) Capture any dog not under the reasonable control of its owner
or handler, when that uncontrolled dog is pursuing, in violation of
this section, any big game mammal, any bear or bobcat, or any fully
protected, rare, or endangered mammal.
(B) Capture or dispatch any dog inflicting injury or immediately
threatening to inflict injury to any big game mammal during the
closed season on that mammal, and the department may capture or
dispatch any dog inflicting injury or immediately threatening to
inflict injury on any bear or bobcat at any time, or any fully
protected, rare, or endangered mammal at any time.
(C) Capture or dispatch any dog inflicting injury or immediately
threatening to inflict injury to any mammal in a game refuge or
ecological reserve if hunting within that refuge or ecological
reserve is unlawful.
(2) No criminal or civil liability shall accrue to any department
employee as a result of enforcement of this section.
(3) This section does not apply to the use of dogs to pursue bears
or bobcats by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, or
their agents or employees, when carrying out official duties as
required by law.
(4) Owners of dogs with identification, that have been captured or
dispatched, shall be notified within 72 hours after capture or
dispatch.
3960.2. (a) As used in this section, the terms "bear" and "pursue"
have the same meanings as defined in Section 3960.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 3960, not more than three dogs may be
used to pursue bears or bobcats pursuant to a depredation permit
issued by the department, if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant demonstrates, in writing, that nonlethal and
avoidance measures were undertaken prior to requesting the
depredation permit.
(2) The applicant demonstrates, in writing, the specific need for
the use of dogs in carrying out the depredation permit.
(3) The depredation permit authorizing the use of dogs is valid
for the take of one bear or one bobcat.
(4) The depredation permit authorizing the use of dogs is valid
for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive days.
(5) The depredation permit specifies the name and address of any
dog handler who will be utilized in the pursuit or taking.
(6) The dog handler has the depredation permit in his or her
possession at all times during the pursuit or taking.
(7) The dog handler does not pursue a bear or bobcat more than one
mile off the property on which the depredation activity occurred.
(c) After any taking of a bear, the applicant is required to
submit the skull to the department as described in the department's
Black Bear Management Plan. No part of any bear taken pursuant to a
depredation permit may be sold, purchased, or possessed for sale, as
described in Section 4758.
(d) No holder of a depredation permit may solicit or receive
compensation from any person in exchange for carrying out the terms
of the permit. For these purposes, "compensation" means remuneration
paid in money, property, or anything else of value.
(e) The holder of a depredation permit, within 30 days of its
issuance, shall report to the department detailing the use of the
permit and the results of any pursuits, including information about
bear or bobcat pursued and whether the bear or bobcat was or was not
harmed, but not killed.
