response In regards to the…

response
In regards to the proposed bear hunting rules, to improve fairness, I am opposed to forcing non-resident landowners to be required to hunt with a licensed bear operator. Please consider my reasons for;

1. BMA 35 has only 1 licensed bear operator in my area, who has a waiting list of at least a year in advance. He has a limited number of validations, so the the chance of being able to reserve a spot with him is very limited.

2. The licensed bear operator is well over an hour and a half away from my cabin. We have a remote cabin, only accessible by a 3 mile boat ride, which is then followed by 60+ mile drive on a gravel road away from the licensed operator. No one is hunting/managing the bear population near my cabin. The operator for our area offers lodging, but why would I stay somewhere else? Since non-residents are not able to be licensed bear operators, would you consider changing this rule? I'd consider becoming a licensed bear operator.

. As a non-resident, I've really enjoyed the bear hunting opportunities over the past few years, especially allowing me access to spring and fall hunting, and being more selective on the quality of bear to harvest. But last years rule change, of making me pick between spring or fall, made things more difficult, and unfortunately I spent less time at the cabin and in the woods.
4. I take this privilege very serious and I'm committed to being a good steward of your resources. My friends and I invested into your hunter safety and PALS courses too.