2012 California Bear Season Is Closed

[RIFLEMAN]

Hi All,

It is with sadness that I inform you that the 2012 bear season has come to an end, as the take of 1,700 bears has been reported to DFG. While DFG has not yet updated their site, hotline, or provided notice to the media, you should expect it shortly.

I hope you all had a great season and made many great memories with your family, friends, and hounds.

[Dale T]

Fish and game updated there web site 1,700 tags reported

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/ ... rvest.html

[Dale T]

Bear Harvest Numbers

As of December 18, 2012 we have received 1,839 successful bear tags; thus pursuant to Title 14, section 365(b), the 2012 bear season is now closed.

1,839
Please return all unused bear tags to:

Wildlife Branch,
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94299-0002.

So does anyone else believe that Fish and Game was holding tags back to try and let the houndsmen kill off as many bears as they could.

[pchop]

I wouldn't put it past them.

[Dale T]

In past years Fish and Game would close the season when they "est." that there were 1700 bears taken and the total take would be close, and some how this year they let it go 139 ( and counting I'm sure) bears over the quota, also they no longer count deperdation bears and road kills like they have in past years, I know it's been a few years since they changed the harvest count to only bears taken by hunters.

[outlaw13]

I wonder if they actually will put out the final number as it is a theory of mine that it is much higher.