Consequently their bear populations have increased, often dramatically. Reports from these states say bears are raiding backyard bird feeders and garbage cans, and showing up on city streets and suburban roads, greatly increasing the chances of conflict. The number of bears killed to prevent property damage or protect public safety has increased. Bear/human conflicts have become more common, and more severe; some bear attacks have been fatal, or involved serious mauling.

● In Oregon, bear numbers have increased by over 40%. Over 300 bears are killed annually in response to conflicts, and landowners can kill bears with bait or dogs in unlimited numbers, without a permit, to prevent property damage. (If Question 1 passes, this will NOT be allowed in Maine.) Oregon has seen several bills introduced to restore the now-banned methods included in the Maine referendum.

● In Oregon and Washington, bears cause an estimated $16 million in damage annually to the timber industry.

● Washington wildlife offices receive hundreds of black bear complaints each year regarding urban sightings, property damage, attacks on livestock, and bear/human confrontations. State officials say, “Black bears are the most common source of potentially dangerous complaints.”

● In Colorado, despite lengthening bear seasons, including adding a spring season, and despite making licenses more available, bear numbers have increased dramatically; a recent 2014 bear census showed twice as many bears, or a 100% increase, over previous estimates. Over 400 bears are killed annually in response to conflicts.

● In Colorado, occupied home entries by bears are so common that one county has banned levered door handles on new houses because bears have learned to open them.

● In some Colorado towns, bear complaints are the No. 1 call received by police departments. Denver now has third- generation “urbanized” bears that are completely dependent on human food, and den under porches, garages, etc.

● In Colorado, attacks on humans have increased, and one was fatal. There have already been four attacks in 2014.

● In Massachusetts, bear populations have increased 700%, and conflicts have doubled. The state of Massachusetts has stated, “There are constant complaints about bear encounters.”

Other states that have limited bear hunting severely, or stopped it altogether, have also experienced rapidly increasing bear populations and increased bear/human conflicts.

Some examples:

New Jersey
New Jersey is an excellent example of what happens when bear numbers are not controlled.

Bear hunting in New Jersey had been closed since 1971, except for a limited hunt in 2003 and 2005. In 1997, in response to the growing bear population, New Jersey wildlife biologists recommended reducing the bear population of 450-500 to 272-340. These recommendations were ignored for years as the population of bears, and the resulting nuisance complaints, continued to grow. Anti-hunting groups, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), used the New Jersey courts to delay a new bear hunt.

By 2010 the New Jersey bear population was over 3,200, and residents reported nearly 3,200 bear complaints and sightings. From 2006-2010 there were 223 successful home (occupied dwelling) entries by bears, 100 in 2008 alone. From 2001-2010, New Jersey officials spent $9 million on bear management and conflict resolution, while HSUS battled to keep bears protected from hunting. As bears became more brazen, close encounters with children and bears escalated; bears learned how to steal school lunches from kids, who were trained to drop their food when bears approached. One bear learned to associate the music of the ice cream truck with kids and an easy snack.