By Courtney Flatt (Northwest News Network)Nov. 19, 2021 3:33 p.m.

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/19/washington-spring-bear-hunt-postponed-2022/?fbclid=IwAR3b-m3l9ob0qVpDnXcpay2d8Am-BBQPnFHo4PmwiUv2BxMUsbrbUh3QeVU

Spring bear hunts in Washington are postponed for 2022, following a vote of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in a meeting on Friday.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission suspended the 2022 spring bear hunt season after a 4-4 vote to authorize the controversial hunt. A majority of commissioners needed to approve special permits for the hunt.

Wildlife officials said the limited spring bear hunt protects against damage to timber and other property. In public comments, supporters of the spring bear hunt said they wanted to expand the spring bear season.

However, conservation groupsraised alarms over the hunt. At least a dozen groups said the hunts kill bears just as they’ve emerged from hibernation with cubs in tow. In spring, 40% of adult female bears have cubs with them, said Commissioner Fred Koontz, of King County.