Spring bear hunting rejected, again

OLYMPIA – It took only a minute Friday, Aug. 11, for the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to reject a petition to resume spring bear hunting in 2024.

The commission’s almost-immediate, unanimous rejection of spring bear hunting followed a very short presentation by state Department of Fish and Wildlife Game Division Manager Anis Aoude.

“From our position as a department … we’re recommending you deny this petition,” he said. “There really isn’t a reason to revisit.”

The state’s presentation and commissioner’s fast rejection followed a petition to begin rulemaking for a 2024 spring bear hunt f...