UPDATE: Mar 11 2025—this bill has made it to committee—LET THE HOWLS BEGIN

Call to Action: Support AB 1038 and Restore Science-Based Bear Management in California

AB 1038 introduces a crucial update to California’s black bear management strategy, ensuring it’s grounded in current science and proven conservation practices. The bill requires the long-overdue update of the state’s Bear Management Plan to confirm growing bear populations and sets the stage for allowing dogs to pursue bears. Under strictly regulated guidelines, this will reestablish nonlethal pursuit as a vital tool, reduce dangerous human-bear encounters, and relieve pressure on other wildlife species like deer and mountain lions that suffer when black bears become overpopulated.

Why does this matter? Overabundant black bears strain habitats, push into suburban and urban areas, and increase conflict with people. In areas where dog pursuit was historically permitted, bears maintained a healthy wariness of humans, resulting in fewer break-ins, trash-raiding, and encounters that ended poorly for bears or people. AB 1038 provides a balanced approach: once California’s Bear Management Plan is updated, wildlife managers can establish both nonlethal pursuit seasons and, if needed, carefully regulated hunting seasons. This ensures we’re not just guessing about population sizes or habitats; instead, we’re using solid data to keep black bears at levels the environment can sustain—boosting safety for communities and long-term health for wildlife.

HUGE THANKS TO CHC & Gaines & Associates for sponsoring the bill!

How You Can Help

• Voice Your Support: Contact your legislators and urge them to vote YES on AB 1038. Remind them that responsible, science-based management is good for California’s wildlife and citizens alike.
• Spread the Word: Share information about this bill with friends, family, and social media networks. The broader the public understanding, the stronger our impact.
• Stay Engaged: Follow Howl For Wildlife for updates on the bill’s progress and additional ways to get involved. 
• Share "LIONHEART" by Blood Origns—CLICK HERE

With your help, we can restore a proven method to manage California’s black bears effectively, safeguard our communities, and protect the balance of our ecosystems. Let’s come together to pass AB 1038 and ensure practical, science-guided wildlife stewardship for everyone’s benefit.

In addition to the email action below, you can also learn and make an impact with the below links.

• CALL THE COMMITTEE HERE
• READ ABOUT BEAR HUNTING HERE
• READ ABOUT HOUND HUNTING HERE
• READ AN ARTICLE ON AB 1038 HERE
• READ A "FIX" TO THE SF GATE ARTICLE HERE
• TALKING POINTS ON AB 1038 HERE
• WRITE A LETTER TO EDITOR HERE
• WRITE A POSITION STATEMENT ON THE CA LEG. PORTAL HERE 

WATCH INSTRUCTIONAL VID FOR ABOVE POSITION STATEMENT