This from The Sportsmen’s Alliance…

Florida’s first bear season in decades was slated for the last seven days of October. It lasted only two.

The shortened season wasn’t due to the protests and lawsuits of animal-rights activists, but instead to the sound management of the state’s fish and wildlife department.

Just two days into the season, 295 bears were killed in the four designated units. The quota biologists set for the season was 320. With so many bears taken so quickly, officials exercised a conservative approach to managing the estimated population of 3,200 bears and ended the season.

We applaud the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s decision to not only exercise a conservative approach to the state’s first bear hunt, but to use hunting as means to scientifically manage them – especially in the face of vocal and emotional, yet factually lacking, objection.

The fact that so many bears were taken so quickly only underscores that management through hunting was needed. Population levels have exceeded the carrying capacity of the habitat (and are likely higher than estimates) in Florida, and encounters – sometimes resulting in violent attacks – have risen.

Unlike the dogmatic animal-rights activists who protested and impeded scientific management from the start, we believe in a holistic approach to resolving wildlife conflicts and management – one where hunting, in all its forms, is employed to manage wildlife in accordance with habitat and predator-prey balance. Used in conjunction with commonsense trash management and other practices in areas bordering bear habitat, humans and bears can peacefully coexist.

Without a doubt, Florida’s bear hunt was a success – perhaps most of all for the thousands of bears that remain in the state, for now they have a little more room and more resources to enjoy in the state’s forests and swamps.

By Glen Wunderlich

Deer hunting season is upon us and it’s time to prepare by thinking ahead. Let’s get to it with this list of 10 suggestions.

Make a list: However you choose to do it, make a list of things that need to be done before you spend time afield. Be prepared to develop the list as thoughts come to mind, by keeping your list handy. By getting stuff out of your head, worry is replaced with action.

Be totally familiar with your gun’s operational features: In a hunting situation, you don’t want to be fumbling around with your safety. Sighting in ahead of time makes sense, because if something goes wrong, you’ll have time to correct it. Understand that this time of year is particularly hectic for gunsmiths and you’ll have little chance for repairs as each day passes.

Have enough ammo: When shopping for ammunition, locate the lot numbers printed somewhere on the boxes and make sure they all match, because different lot numbers could equal different results. The idea is to have enough matching ammo for practice, sighting in and hunting. Also, chamber each round in advance of hunting to ensure compatibility to avoid malfunctions afield.

Sight in properly: Diamond shaped targets are best for scopes with typical crosshair reticles, while black circles work well with iron sights and red dots. For whitetail deer you must be able to put 9 out of 10 shots into an intentionally conservative 6-inch circle from any distance, with any firearm, from any chosen position. If you are honest with yourself and have respect for your quarry, you’ll get close enough to pass this test.

Know your limitations: Making a perfect, ethical shot is always the goal. If you’ve never shot at a moving deer, it’s no time to break the 9 out of 10 rule. Use some type of rest afield whether a tree, shooting sticks, or even sand bags from box blinds.

Keep your distance: If you find another hunter legally hunting near your favorite spot, move on. Stepping on each other benefits nobody.

Be prepared for tracking: In Michigan, it is legal to use dogs to track mortally wounded deer. Be familiar with the laws in advance. If you don’t have access to a tracking dog, there are professionals available to help at www.Michigantracknhounds.com.

Don’t be a showoff: While it’s fun to share photos and to have others view your trophy, not everyone will appreciate your kill. Since hunters make up only about 7 percent of the general population, it’s wise to show discretion.

Tell others of your plans. For those traveling to remote locations, let other people know where you’ll be and when to expect your return. Long-range two-way radios are quite affordable and can save lives when cell phone signals are not available. Pack extra batteries.

Reporting Hunter Harassment: Hunters and anglers in Michigan have the right to enjoy their sport free from deliberate interference. Individuals whose hunting is being obstructed should promptly report the violation to a local conservation officer, by calling the Report All Poaching (RAP) Hotline, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, at: 800-292-7800.

By practicing some common-sense rules, may we all be better sportsmen and women for having done so. Happy hunting!