2010 Updates / Oversights ???

[bobleblanc]

The latest update to the Bear Hunting regulations has a conflict with respect to the use of camoflage.
The way it is written, bear hunters can only use camo when they are stationery, or in a stand, AND hunting over a registered bait site.
But there no longer is a bear bait registration!!

So, to the letter of the law, bear hunters now have to wear orange or camo orange...or hope the CO they run into has a little common sense. Because the early season bowhunter, hunting deer, is still able to wear camo when on stand.

There are 2 possible resolves to this conflict...
1) remove the requirement that the bear bait is at a registered site, or
2) remove the exemption from the early season bow hunters.

We'll want to keep an eye out that #2 is NOT what they decide.

Bob

[noluck]

How do we find out what if anything DNR is doing to remedy this conflict?

[ARROW SLINGER]

I talked to the CO's in Antigonish today and as far as they are concered Bear Sites are still OK but they havent come across anything on it yet! They just got the new act and are going through it, and he will call me if he comes across the camo at Bear sites.

[bobleblanc]

The quote I posted on the NSH website is the actual regulation, Rob.

It's going to be a matter of interpretation / intent.
Maybe an oversight and everything will be fine...but if they tell the bear hunters, especially the guys expecting to use a crossbow, that they have to be in orange, we can expect there to be fallout...
Hopefully all will realize that the law, as written, is applicable to bowhunters hunting bear too. But it is our early deer bow season that could take a hit, as it runs at the same time.

Bob