California Bans Hunting with Hounds

Let this serve as a reminder of what we're up against: "Animal rights" activists have banned hunting bears and bobcats with hounds in the state of California. On Wednesday the bill was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.

Anti-hunters continued to spread false information about hunting with hounds even after the bill's signing. In celebrating the ban, Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), said in a written statement, "Hound hunting of bears is illegal in two-thirds of the United States. California now joins the great majority of states that have abolished this inhumane and unnecessarypractice."

That statement simply isn't in touch with reality. Of the U.S. states that allow bear hunting, 60 percent allow the use of dogs. And, given that California hunters rarely kill the number of bears recommended by biologists, the use of hounds is, in fact, necessary. California has a sizeable number of bears and its terrain is very challenging. It's foreseeable that, given the hound ban, state biologists will have to remove more bears in response to human-bear conflicts.

Any guesses as to state biologists' preferred method of bear removal? Hunting them with hounds. So, guess what, Mr. Animal Rights activist: Bears are still going to be hunted with hounds. It'll just be at taxpayer expense.

For sporting dog enthusiasts, this news is disappointing. Perhaps even worthy of our anger. But let's channel our emotions into something productive. Let's use this terrible law as a rallying cry, and fight for our rights with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose.