INL and IDFG launch expanded hunting passes

GFP has a goal to sell more than 4,000 fur bearing licenses a year. Since 2019, it has only done so in 2021. In 2023, numbers dipped to 3,300, before bouncing back slightly to between 3,600 and 3,900.

Kevin Robling is the secretary of Game, Fish and Parks and he spoke on the numbers at the latest state Government Audit and Operations Committee meeting. He said while they haven’t hit that 4,000-license benchmark, a lot of it has to do with the markets.

“Trapping licenses are a reflection of the fur market. And the fur market right now is very poor, very poor. You might get $3 or $5 for a raccoon in prime condition. Coyotes are bringing $10, maybe,” Robling said. “You know? So, the fur market does definitely get folks more excited to buy a fur-bearer license. If fur prices are good, more folks are going to put effort into that recreational opportunity.”

He said one promising thing is that the department’s Nest Predator Bounty Program has increased youth trapping involvement in the state. The program gives participants $10 a tail per raccoon, striped skunk, badger, opossum and red fox trapped and killed.

Robling said that’s encouraging.

“That’s been a strong indication of ensuring our trapping heritage does not fade away because across this nation it is,” Robling said. “Trapping has become a less pursued opportunity.”

He added that keeping trapping and fur bearing license numbers up is vital to agriculture and GFP’s mission of wildlife management.

“But that 4,000 number isn’t like this silver bullet of we need 4,000 to manage the coyote population. We could probably use 10,000 quite honestly, you know as far as the number of coyotes we have, the number of raccoons we have. They definitely help us though manage, let’s say in this case coyotes,” Robling said. “Coyotes, we have a whole entire wildlife damage management program. Twenty-eight full time trappers that everyday they’re trying to help producers make sure they don’t lose lambs and calves in the agricultural space. We could use some more folks out there killing coyotes, harvesting coyotes.”

Robling said once license numbers decline, it’s hard to get them back up.

Anger over Lake Tahoe black bear being euthanized after run-ins with humans

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Exposing the Big Game

ByTara Campbell

Monday, July 21, 2025 7:25AM

https://abc7news.com/post/anger-aggressive-lake-tahoe-black-bear-being-euthanized-run-ins-humans/17221048/

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A Lake Tahoe black bear was euthanized after officials say it had become aggressive, but one activist says humans should be held responsible.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (KGO) — The euthanizing of a Lake Tahoe black bear is prompting a call to action.

Officials say the bear had become aggressive and had far too many encounters with humans, but one activist says this bear would probably still be alive if humans were more responsible.

“We can’t understand why they would be just killing bears rather than holding people responsible,” said Ann Bryant, Executive Director of the BEAR League.

MORE: Activists sound off on CA bill that would bring back ‘cruel’ black bear hunting practice

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife euthanized the bear earlier this month, accusing it of years of aggressive behavior.

Bryant says the problem is more with people not getting the message.

“There isn’t a bear in Tahoe that wouldn’t open a car door that’s not locked. If there’s food in there, that’s not a crime. That’s called a soft entry,” she said. “That’s not a break-in bear. That’s not a problem bear. That’s not a nuisance bear. That is a 100% normal bear. People are not being told to lock up your trash. Secure your food. Don’t leave your car doors open.”

MORE: Number of bears being hit and killed by cars in Tahoe continues to soar

Officials say wildlife officers were responding to reports of a bear causing what was described as “extensive damage” to an unoccupied home in the Meeks Bay community. When they arrived, they immediately recognized the bear with the ear tag number 717.

In a statement, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said: “Based on its concerning behavior, property damage, and repeated negative encounters with humans, the bear was approved for lethal removal.”

“When bears do that because people don’t get the food out and lock the doors,” said Bryant. “That’s not the bear’s fault. That’s an invitation to the bears to open the door and go in.”

Officials say it was unfortunate, but necessary to put the bear down, adding the bear’s body was left to decompose in the forest, and that its skull was taken for research purposes.