A bill to extend the bear-hunting season in Colorado by adding the month of August was voted down then postponed indefinitely in a House committee on Monday, meaning that the bill is not destined to go forward in this year’s session.
House Bill 16-1220 had been introduced by State Rep. Yeulin Willett, R-Grand Junction, as a means to reduce human-bear conflicts in the state of Colorado.
Opponents questioned whether it would truly have any impact on reducing the most commonly reported conflicts, such as bears invading homeowners’ trash in foothills and suburban communities.
The bill was read Monday in House State, Veterans & Military Affairs committee, and voted down 5-4, according to Colorado Parks & Wildlife spokesman Matt Robbins.
The bear hunting season in Colorado currently runs September through December. It had included August until 1992, when hunting of bears in that month was banned by Colorado voters.
Willett had put the bill forward believing that the increasing frequency of incidents between people and bears in recent years called for a reconsideration of the state’s approach on the issue.
