SUFFOLK
The first bear – albeit an undersize one – was bagged at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge kicked off its second two-day black bear hunt Friday morning, to the dismay of animal-rights advocates. The bear that was shot was under the 100-pound minimum, a violation of state law, said refuge manager Chris Lowie.
The male bear was confiscated as evidence, and the person who killed it was ticketed. In addition, the permit of the hunter, who was not identified, was revoked.
D.J. Schubert, a wildlife biologist for the Alexandria-based Animal Welfare Institute, called the event “tragic.”
“We don’t believe there’s any justification for this hunt,” he said.
Nearly all of the 48 permitted hunters showed up at the swamp Friday. Though weather conditions were ideal, Lowie said he heard of no other bear sightings.
“It’s a nice, cool fall day. There’s barely any wind,” he said. “It’s a nice day to be in the woods.”
No measures – such as a longer hunt over a larger area or additional scouting time – were taken this time around to ensure that at least one bear would be taken, Lowie said. Not a single bear was bagged last year.
The hunt is taking place on roughly 21,000 of the refuge’s 111,203 acres.
Fifty hunters, each allowed to bring one guest hunter, were eligible to purchase the $50 permits. A computer lottery in October selected which applicants could participate in the hunt.
All those who participate, guests included, were required to pay for a permit. One day was designated for hunters to scout the swamp.
Nearly all of the 234 people who applied for the bear hunt live in Virginia, said Philip Boyce of CyberData, the company contracted to handle the lottery. The rest hailed from Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
Last year’s lottery picked 100 hunters, but they weren’t allowed to bring a friend. The refuge decided to make a change after hearing from those chosen. “We found out that some people got selected, but their buddies didn’t,” Lowie said. “They didn’t want to go it alone.”
The refuge’s bear population is estimated at between 300 and 350, and should not be adversely affected by the hunt, Lowie said. Officials are allowing no more than 20 bears to be killed over the two days.
“We’re just taking all the precautions we can to not hurt the bear population,” Lowie said.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 included hunting as an appropriate public use of the refuge system. Deer hunting is the only other type allowed in the Great Dismal Swamp.
The Animal Welfare Institute and one other animal-rights organization sent an eight-page letter to the refuge, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, condemning the bear hunt. It also requested that a new environmental impact review be done before deciding whether to hold the hunt next year.
“It’s not surprising to me that only one bear has been killed so far,” Schubert said. “It’s consistent with what happened last year. … Maybe that population is not as large as they think it is.”
Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com
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Bear Hunt
The bear population has to be controlled one way or the other. I don't care which way its done but if too many bears inhabit the swamp then they will start moving out. This is already happening and they are in and coming to Southampton County. The county has more bears in it now that the Dismal Swamp yet wildlife officials do not believe that. They need a tracking program if they want to really see what is going on. People will start being affected soon by bears looking for food and getting killed on the highway. Then your going to start seeing pets disapear and trash cans raided. Then someone will eventually get hurt. We need a bear hunt in Southampton if its only a one week hunt.
Dismal Swamp Bear Hunt
to MM in VaB who said: "Kinda makes one wonder how Mother Nature ever managed before hunters came along to control things for her. " You don't comprehend the concept of game conservation. Since Noah, people have been hunting. Hunting, if done PROPERLY, (i.e. to balance the available food with the herd size.) is good stewardship of Nature. About the small bear issue, I have a comment: Did the hunter shoot whatever he saw, w/o thinking about legal size, OR did he underestimate the weight. If he disregarded the rule; shame on him, if not, then it's an honest mistake. Stop slamming hunters! I prefer healthy unvaccinated wild game. Grocery store meat used to be a live animal too!Did you forget that? Hunting balances Nature!God Bless hunters!
where is the update on the slaughter?
how many trophy bears were killed?
Animal birth control hahahaha
You are an idiot. How is this to be dispensed? Ask them to all line up for the correct dose? What are you, Snow White? Or maybe Noah? Oh and what's to say putting it in feeders won't make some endangered not eat it? A sign saying "Please little endangered/wrong species, don't eat this because it might kill you." What is wrong with you? And whose going to pay for it? The Clinton health care plan?
I wonder...
Kinda makes one wonder how Mother Nature ever managed before hunters came along to control things for her.
If Hunting Is Allowed, Name Needs Changing!
To call The Great Dismal Swamp a "Wildlife Refuge" is an oxymoron, wouldn't you say? A refuge is a sanctuary, a peaceful place, not a killing ground. Hunting is cruel and barbaric despite what hunter's say about thinning animal populations and contributing financially with their permit fee's. There is a more humane way to control animals, like birth control. And citing understaffing with Fish and Game is lame. We all know if people speak up loudly enough against injustice, options will be found. Hunter's money is about as filthy as smoker's money. Hunter's, don't bother trying to justify your twisted need and desire to kill. I come from a hunting family and am not proud of it!
Why the interest in the Great Dismal Swamp Habitants?
As long as the wildlife do not wander into the city roads and areas whats the purpose of hunting in their domain. Wildlife must be left with a home somewhere to keep them from wandering into ours. Already new constructiion has invaded so much land once belonging to wildlife and they have nowhere to run but into homeowners back and front yards. Next thing you know they will be building homes in the swamp area once they figure how to build it up. Leave it preserved with its habitants and for history's sake. I understand it was once a back roadway for slaves as the underground railroad and a well beaten path is shown in the picture above. It is truly a beautiful sight.