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Public Comments Due By January 31
Friends of Panthertown does not support bear hunting in Panthertown.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission has proposed a rule change to allow bear hunting by permit in the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary. NCWRC estimates that 521 permits will be issued for this sanctuary in 2022 at a cost of $8 each. Public comments are due by January 31. NCWRC Commissioners will consider proposed rule changes at their February 2022 meeting. If adopted, rules will take effect August 1, and be in place for the 2022-2023 seasons. Details about the proposal can be found at: https://www.ncwildlife.org/proposed-regulations.

Recent Smoky Mountain News:

Balance of bear country: Wildlife Commission takes input on future of WNC bear sanctuaries (1/26)

A shift for sanctuaries: Wildlife Commission considers opening new areas to bear hunting (1/22)

Opinion from Bear Education and Resource (B.E.A.R.) Task Force (1/26)

To summarize our position in response to public sentiment concerning bears in Panthertown:

  • We are in support of continuing to protect the black bears in the Panthertown Valley and Bonas Defeat areas of Nantahala National Forest in Jackson County.
  • We do not support bear hunting in the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary.
  • We do not support the NCWRC proposed rule change (15A NCAC 10D .0106 BEAR SANCTUARIES) to allow bear hunting by permit in the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary.
  • We do not believe allowing bear hunts in the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary will solve human-bear interaction concerns or is an appropriate solution given Panthertown’s traditional and current recreational uses.

Submit a Comment: 

Public Comment Period Closing Date: January 31, 2022
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