Is this to control the population for ecological reasons? It’s not like bears have any natural predators and I’d imagine humans have filled that role for most of history. If this is not the case, then it’s pretty sad.
You do know that (alpha) predator populations are self-regulating?
More predators => less prey => fewer predators => more prey => more predators
This is a fact that every hunter wants to ignore, yet that justification always comes up when [insert any animal] is killed.
It’s very much a relevant fact, especially in areas where natural predators have been eradicated either through habitat loss, or intentional hunting before we had conservation efforts in place. A wildlife manager considers every variable before determining how many hunting licenses are issued for the good of the ecology. Every hunter understands the balance, and the factors that determine a unit’s carrying capacity, it’s part of the mandatory hunter safety course training.
So starvation to control the population instead of hunting, got ya. What if the predators prey is plants? More predators => less plants => less predators => more plants?
Oh bull, humans have severely beaten natural predators and prey has exploded. And over population is bad news for any species; over feeding, disease, etc. I’ve seen deer populations that were staggering in size, no idea their fate, but it can’t be good.
Don’t want hunters? Fine, I’ve never hunted either, don’t care to. Reintroduce predators, so if you can make that happen. Farmers in Colorado shit kittens when the state reintroduced wolves.
Ever seen a panther in your neck of the woods? I have, and despite being armed, I wouldn’t fancy my chances. (And thank god, we ended up ignoring one another.) Maybe we could get some more of those? I’d be all for it.
Ever had a black bear in your house? I have. Love those guys, and they’re mostly harmless to humans. Given that people around here are used to them, they still flip when one hops the fence or dumps their garbage.
Consider that those two animals are absolutely illegal to kill except in self-defense. Think Bubba doesn’t smoke 'em on site anyway? Because Bubba do that.
So how well do you think reintroduction of predators would work?