Polls and Perception: Understanding the Debate on Bear Hunting in California

Public opinion polls wield significant influence in wildlife policy decisions—but what happens when these polls are inherently biased or omit critical context? A 2020 poll conducted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) regarding black bear hunting in California highlights how selective framing and omitted information can mislead the public.

Here's the start of the poll. No bias whatsoever, right?

Q1: Each year, hunters kill more than 1,000 black bears in California for sport. Their primary motivation is often not for food but rather to obtain a trophy for their wall, a hide for their floor, or a photo for bragging rights.

What the HSUS Poll Claimed

In December 2020, the HSUS commissioned Remington Research Group to poll Californians' attitudes toward bear hunting, reporting that:

• 62% supported legislation to end bear hunting "for sport."
• 70% believed black bears should not be hunted "for sport."
• 71% favored non-lethal methods to address bear-human conflicts.

At first glance, these statistics seem to indicate overwhelming public opposition to bear hunting—but do they accurately represent public sentiment?

Examining Poll Biases

Loaded Language:
The poll specifically used the phrase "for sport," which implicitly characterizes hunting as merely recreational or unnecessary. In reality, regulated hunting is a well-established wildlife management tool that maintains balanced ecosystems, manages bear populations sustainably, funds conservation efforts, and reduces bear-human conflicts.

Organizational Bias:
The HSUS actively opposes hunting practices nationwide. Polls commissioned by advocacy groups tend to reflect their agenda, influencing results through the phrasing of questions, omission of crucial information, and selective sampling.

Critical Context Omitted: California’s Wanton Waste Law

A vital omission in the HSUS poll was California's "wanton waste" law, which legally requires hunters to utilize harvested bear meat. Far from being wasteful or solely trophy-driven, bear hunting provides hunters with valuable meat—a delicacy enjoyed and highly prized in many households. This critical fact, had it been shared with respondents, could significantly alter public perceptions of bear hunting, presenting it as a responsible, sustainable, and ethical activity rather than wasteful recreation.

Significant New Data: Updated Bear Population Estimates

Since the HSUS poll in 2020, significant new data has emerged from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. CDFW’s latest Black Bear Conservation Plan (2024) dramatically updated the state’s bear population estimate, revising it upward from around 35,000 bears to between 50,000 and 81,000 bears. This growth reflects successful conservation and management efforts, alongside changing habitat conditions.

With a significantly higher bear population than previously recognized, wildlife managers face increasingly frequent bear-human interactions, including property damage and safety concerns. Higher bear densities also impact other wildlife, influencing predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem health.

Legislative and Management Implications

The rising bear population has prompted new legislative measures in California, including:

• Assembly Bill 1038, introduced by Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick, proposing non-lethal management techniques alongside hunting, such as a renewed bear pursuit season with trained hounds to restore bears’ natural fear of humans.

Such developments reflect recognition by wildlife managers and policymakers that adaptive management—including regulated hunting—is essential to effectively address growing wildlife populations and human-wildlife conflicts.

Reevaluating Public Opinion

With the new data clearly demonstrating increased bear populations and rising human-wildlife interactions, the initial opposition indicated by the HSUS poll must be reconsidered. Californians deserve clear, balanced information that reflects current ecological realities and includes the positive roles regulated hunting can play.

An accurate and unbiased poll would inform respondents about:

• The ethical utilization of bear meat under California’s wanton waste law.
• Regulated hunting's role in maintaining ecological balance.
• How hunting contributes directly to wildlife conservation funding.
• The importance of hunting in minimizing bear-human conflicts and safeguarding communities.

The HSUS poll’s biased framing, significant omissions—particularly neglecting California's wanton waste law—and outdated population information substantially misrepresent public opinion on bear hunting. The substantial increase in California’s black bear population underscores the need for scientifically informed, adaptive management strategies, including regulated hunting.

Californians deserve transparent and comprehensive data to form truly informed, balanced opinions that support effective wildlife management, conservation, and responsible hunting traditions.