U.S. hunters shoot about 33,000 bears each year—and poachers kill thousands more. In fact, bears are a favorite target for trophy hunters the world over. Some states even allow unsporting bear baiting, hounding (cruel to bears and dogs) and spring hunts, which can orphan cubs to die slowly.
Gentle black bears will stay away from people unless lured by food, but some hunters stir up fear as an excuse for hunts. Many bears die to satisfy the black market for folk remedies. Vacationing trophy seekers kill polar bears although they are already in peril from global warming.
You can help by learning the bear facts [PDF] and pressing your elected officials for change.
- Ask your federal legislators to support protection for polar bears and all bears.
- Maryland or New Jersey residents: ask your governor to cancel the state's bear hunt.
- Act locally against bear baiting, bear hounding, and spring bear hunts
California Fish & Game Rejects Bear Trophy Hunt Expansion
Proposed regulations would have allowed a trophy hunt of bears in San Luis Obispo County, where it is currently prohibited, and would have allowed an unlimited number of bears to be killed.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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March 5, 2010
Study Reveals Little Economic Benefit of Polar Bear Trophy Hunting in Canada
A new study jointly released by HSI and International Fund for Animal Welfare reveals that polar bear hunts provide little economic benefit to Canada’s Inuit communities.
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March 4, 2010
HSI Applauds MPs Supporting Ban in Trade of Threatened Polar Bears
HSI/UK applauds the Members of Parliament who have signed a motion calling on the government to support increased protection for polar bears.
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February 2, 2010
Statement by The HSUS on Expansion of Black Bear Trophy Hunt in California
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, made a statement in response to the California Department of Fish and Game’s proposal to expand black bear trophy hunting and ease current restrictions.
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December 29, 2009
The HSUS, HSI Comment on Polar Bear Critical Habitat Designation
The HSUS and HSI have submitted a letter praising the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its actions to protect polar bears by designating critical habitat for the species, but said more needs to be done.
Our Victories
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November 16, 2009
An Eagle Eye on Wildlife
Last Friday, Wayne Pacelle paid a visit to our newest animal care center—the SPCA Wildlife Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
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November 13, 2009
La Jolla Seals Decision
The HSUS heralds the ruling by Judge Timothy Taylor of the Superior Court of California in San Diego to allow harbor seals to continue living at Casa Beach in La Jolla. In his ruling, Judge Taylor vacated two previous judicial orders that would have required the City of San Diego to disperse the seals and to dredge the beach to ensure the seals did not return.
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June 29, 2009
Settlement Restores Endangered Species Act Protections To Great Lakes Wolves
A coalition of wolf advocates led by The HSUS has reached a settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore federal Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Great Lakes region.
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June 22, 2009
Federal Court Blocks Captive Hunting of Endangered Species
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule allowing captive hunting of endangered antelopes.