Being of the non-hunting variety (note I did not say anti-hunting), I have to agree that management of the population...in whatever direction is needed is a necessary situation for the healthy maintenance of many species. Also, the evidence would indicate that the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife in Kentucky do a pretty good job of it.

 

However, I can't accept the "it is what it is attitude" to uncontrolled population growth and unmanaged urban sprawl. We are supposed to be a smart enough animal not to soil our own nest.

 

Additionally, elimination of apex predators in regions because they are "scary" or infringing (supposedly) upon farmers stock is completely unacceptable because this is not management it is annihilation (eg. wolves, cougars) IMO.

I would also add that for bear hunts like this, I hope minimums are set for the types of guns and more importantly, types of ammunition that are used. I am fine with the hunt, I just want the bear to suffer as little as possible. .30-.30, .223 and .357 magnum are not powerful enough to cause hydrostatic shock in a bear causing a slow death. .308, .30-06, .44 Magnum with a six inch barrel should be minimums with .300 Win Magnum and .454 Casull being preferred.

Don't they always donate meat from these organized kills to orphanages? Sounds like Florida kids are going to be eating a lot of bearburgers.

I would also add that for bear hunts like this, I hope minimums are set for the types of guns and more importantly, types of ammunition that are used. I am fine with the hunt, I just want the bear to suffer as little as possible. .30-.30, .223 and .357 magnum are not powerful enough to cause hydrostatic shock in a bear causing a slow death. .308, .30-06, .44 Magnum with a six inch barrel should be minimums with .300 Win Magnum and .454 Casull being preferred.

I agree, but from what I read the avg weight of those bears in FL is considerably less than some of their northern counterparts.

I agree, but from what I read the avg weight of those bears in FL is considerably less than some of their northern counterparts.

 

I did not know that. On the other hand, these are bears. There are bear that physically are smaller than I, you have seen my hoss self in your dentist chair, but would still be harder to kill than I since the skin is thicker and tougher, their muscle is far thicker and tougher and their ribs are much stronger so I would have to think round acceptable for stopping me would be an agonizing death for a smaller bear.

I did not know that. On the other hand, these are bears. There are bear that physically are smaller than I, you have seen my hoss self in your dentist chair, but would still be harder to kill than I since the skin is thicker and tougher, their muscle is far thicker and tougher and their ribs are much stronger so I would have to think round acceptable for stopping me would be an agonizing death for a smaller bear.

Absolutely. I'd want more, not less. More is always better.

Without the ability to use hounds in this hunt killing that many that quick was impressive.

 

I to think the DNR might want to recount the bear population.

Without the ability to use hounds in this hunt killing that many that quick was impressive.

 

I to think the DNR might want to recount the bear population.

I agree, but from what I read the avg weight of those bears in FL is considerably less than some of their northern counterparts.

 

Most wild mammals in Florida are smaller than their northern cousins. The deer are tiny compared to those in Kentucky, same goes for rabbits and squirrels. I've always said it'd take 10 Florida squirrels to make a mess of squirrel soup compared to 1 in Kentucky. May as well not shoot a rabbit. There wouldn't be enough left of one to skin.

 

I've seen several bears around my son's place, near Wekiwa Springs State Park, and saw one up in Gatlinburg, when we were there last week. The size difference is substantial, the Tennessee bear being much larger. However, I would not want to have to mix it up with a Florida Black Bear.

 

Mrs. S was visiting the son one time. She had started to leave when our son came into the house and told her to stay put. He was taking out the garbage and caught one behind our truck. He wanted to make sure it was gone before she went out.

Kentucky's Archery Bear hunt started this past weekend with a season limit of 10 bears or 5 females. Limit was met the first day with 20 bear being taken.

I think the hunt was definitely necessary. Populations need to be controlled. However, asking the public to be held accountable, to bear-proof their garbage, etc isn't far-fetched either. Measures such as those would reduce the number of human and bear encounters.

Kentucky's Archery Bear hunt started this past weekend with a season limit of 10 bears or 5 females. Limit was met the first day with 20 bear being taken.

 

This is something I wonder about with "limits". I will presume that the limits are set with a population target in mind. As evidenced above, there is no control over hunters to stop when the target is met. Additionally, who is managing "microsystems". One area's wildlife can be completely decimated while another (which may be harder to hunt) remains overpopulated. Point is, while KY F and W do generally a good job, the system isn't flawless, and we non-hunters still have every right to question and challenge how our natural resources are managed.

I would also add that for bear hunts like this, I hope minimums are set for the types of guns and more importantly, types of ammunition that are used. I am fine with the hunt, I just want the bear to suffer as little as possible. .30-.30, .223 and .357 magnum are not powerful enough to cause hydrostatic shock in a bear causing a slow death. .308, .30-06, .44 Magnum with a six inch barrel should be minimums with .300 Win Magnum and .454 Casull being preferred.

A .30-.30 is plenty for a black bear. While I wouldn't use one, a .223 would do the job.

 

As long as you put the bullet in the right place most decent sized center fire rounds will be fine. Where you can get into trouble is the smaller calibers have less margin for error. Put one in the shoulder and you could be in trouble. Where as a .300 Win Mag is going to do the job pretty much anywhere.

 

Any of the rounds you mentioned are going to have better KE then the best compound bow on the market. Again as long as you practice and know where to place the bullet and don't take stupid high risk shots you will be fine.

This is something I wonder about with "limits". I will presume that the limits are set with a population target in mind. As evidenced above, there is no control over hunters to stop when the target is met. Additionally, who is managing "microsystems". One area's wildlife can be completely decimated while another (which may be harder to hunt) remains overpopulated. Point is, while KY F and W do generally a good job, the system isn't flawless, and we non-hunters still have every right to question and challenge how our natural resources are managed.

 

The limits are set and monitored each day. Hunters must check after 9 pm each night to see if the hunt has been stopped for the next day. No other way to do it that I can think of.

This is something I wonder about with "limits". I will presume that the limits are set with a population target in mind. As evidenced above, there is no control over hunters to stop when the target is met. Additionally, who is managing "microsystems". One area's wildlife can be completely decimated while another (which may be harder to hunt) remains overpopulated. Point is, while KY F and W do generally a good job, the system isn't flawless, and we non-hunters still have every right to question and challenge how our natural resources are managed.

 

Generally speaking the KYDFWR is pretty good about their surveys of populations and density in particular areas, that's how they establish the zones. Need to remember that these guys live in the field and have a much better understanding of our natural resources than anyone else, in particular arm chair quarterbacks who want to challenge quota limits and hunt zones.