March 19, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash.- The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-4 today
against a proposed 2022 spring bear-hunting season. The vote by the
commission, which oversees the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, is
the second related to this year’s season. It follows an attempt by hunting
groups to reverse the original November 2021 suspension of the hunt.

“This vote is a big win for both science and black bears, and it will
protect bear cubs from being orphaned by a reckless spring hunt,” said
Sophia Ressler, a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.
“The commission once again told state wildlife officials that they won’t
authorize a hunt without a proper analysis of the threats to Washington’s
bears. We hope the wildlife agency actually listens this time.”

A tie vote in November failed to approve the rule needed to create a 2022
spring bear hunting season…