I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposal to remove the ability for nonresident landowners to hunt black bear without utilizing a guide/outfitter. This proposal will do little to redistribute the opportunities and in fact will likely result in a marked decrease in license sales and participation. Nonresident landowners that now participate in the hunt will not likely continue to do so if they are required to pay additional fees to a guide. Provided further, nonresident landowners do not receive any priority in availability of permits so this proposal will not redistribute opportunity. The minor agency expenditures required to issue validation certificates and permits should be more than off set by the price of the permit. In addition, this proposed restriction will limit the ability for landowners to manage, or participate in the management of wildlife on their own properties. As a nonresident landowner I have hunted 13 years and have harvested 11 bears. In doing so I have paid thousands of dollars in license and permit fees, not to mention fuel, food and other associated expenses. In the area where I own property and hunt there appears to be a large bear population and I am aware of no guides or outfitters in operation in the area.