WASHINGTON—Newly compiled data by Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, reveal that more than 1 million bears (1,014,773) have been legally trophy hunted in the U.S. between 2000 and 2024. An unknown number of dependent cubs also died after trophy hunters killed their mothers. Not only are trophy hunters killing record numbers of bears in the U.S., but Americans are also traveling to Canada to kill even more black bears and bring their trophies back home. Altogether, trophy hunting in the U.S. and the import of bears hunted in Canada has resulted in a total of 1.2 million bears killed over the past 25 years.
In its new report, Humane World for Animals rated the states in order of how many bears were trophy hunted over the past 25 years. Wisconsin is in the No.1 position accounting for 92,112 trophy hunted bears, Pennsylvania is second with 83,914 bears and Maine, with 81,489 bears, is third.
“The data show that trophy hunters have senselessly wiped out more than 1 million black bears in just 25 years,” said Wendy Keefover, senior principal for wildlife protection at Humane World for Animals. “State officials often try to justify this cruelty as a public safety measure. But the data indicate that while bear hunting has increased nationwide, the already uncommon occurrence of bear attacks has not declined. In other words, killing more bears is doing nothing to make people safer. Instead of addressing the root causes of human-bear conflict—such as bird feeders, chicken coops, trash and other food attractants—states continue to expand black bear hunting and perpetuate a massive and unnecessary slaughter.”
Trophy hunters sometimes target bears in the spring, when bears are weak from months of hibernation and mothers are caring for their newborn, dependent cubs. Others bait bears with piles of junk food to lure them. “Hounding,” the cruel and dangerous unleashing of packs of hounds to chase bears—often injuring non-target wildlife in the process—is another brutal practice. Furthermore, bowhunters routinely wound bears without killing them outright, leaving many to suffer slow, painful deaths. Two states, Alaska and Maine, even allow cruel bear trapping.
While the numbers of hunters have declined in the U.S. over the past two decades, in contrast bear hunting is on the increase. In 2000, 34,000 bears were hunted compared with 51,000 bears hunted in 2023, the deadliest year for bears during the period 2000-2024.
Black bears are the top mammal trophy imported into the U.S. with about 6,000 bear trophies imported each year, which is over 13 times more than the next most imported species, chacma baboons. Globally, 175,438 black bear body parts were traded on international markets between 1999 and 2023.
Despite increases in bear hunting throughout the country, polls have shown that 76% of American voters oppose black bear trophy hunting. State-specific polls including Florida, Alaska and California, show similar levels of opposition to bear trophy hunting and the cruelest killing methods.
“The relentless killing of black bears in North America, resulting in the deaths of 1.2 million bears, must prick our collective conscious. The next 25 years for black bears must better align with Americans’ values, and states must take action to stop the continual cycle of needless suffering and loss,” added Keefover.
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