California SB 818 and AB 1038

[grizz19]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this so mods move it if need be. We finally have some positive predator management legislation in California.

SB 818 in summary, basically allow lions to be pursued with hounds for a “tree and free” scenario. Will allow for qualified houndsmen to use non lethal methods to manage lions that have been deemed a potential problem. I got this wording from the howl website so I’m not sure if “potential problem” is in the bill itself. If so it makes me feel that they could run off a lion BEFORE it commits any type of act. Not sure though.

AB 1038 in summary is allowing for basically the same thing if approved. A tree and free season to reduce human/bear interaction and potentially, if deemed necessary based on population, a harvest season on bears with the use of hounds.

Here in California we have one of, if not the worst, predator management plans in the west in my opinion. SB 818 and AB 1038 are not a complete solution to our problem but are definitely a step in the right direction if we can get them in. There’s more information on these on the HOWL website. I’ll post the links below.

Support AB 1038 and Restore Science-Based Bear Management

Call to Action: Support AB 1038 and Restore Science-Based Bear Management AB 1038 introduces a crucial update to California’s black bear management strategy, ensuring it’s grounded in current science and proven conservation practices. The bill requires the long-overdue update of the state’s...

www.howlforwildlife.org

Support SB 818 to Protect Communities, Livestock, and Mountain Lions

What SB 818 Does: Establishes a five-year pilot program, “Tree and Free,” in El Dorado County, allowing qualified houndspersons to use nonlethal methods to haze and deter mountain lions identified as potential threats. Aims to restore mountain lions’ natural cautious behavior around humans and...

www.howlforwildlife.org

 

[ReddingArcher]

Thanks for posting, it is a step in the right direction. Hopefully there will eventually be a season to take both with hounds.

 

[grizz19]

That’s what I’m hoping! We have been behind the eight ball with predator management out here for so long that anything positive like this is a breath of fresh air. Hoping we can get these pushed Through.

 

[JFK]

Signed both. I hope when they say “tree and free” they mean freeing them to the afterlife.

In all seriousness, I’m doubtful these bills gain traction in this state. I hope I’m wrong. And, while they aren’t asking the general population to decide on these as voter sponsored propositions, this too is ballot box biology. These decisions should be made by fish and game.