July 23, 2020 11:00 a.m.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will not propose bear hunting between Grave Creek and Lobster Creek on the lower Rogue River, including the Wild and Scenic section, during the upcoming 2021 big game hunting regulation process.

ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Steve Niemela said the concept was introduced to the public for feedback in late June and the comments received did not show strong support at this time.

Niemela said the agency’s goal with the concept was to simplify regulations, potentially reduce human safety risks by removing localized bears through recreational harvest, use hunting pressure to modify behavior of human habituated bears and to increasing hunting opportunity as a consistent management tool for Oregon’s bear population.

Niemela said staff will continue working with federal land management partners to educate river users and help resolve human-bear conflicts and campgrounds in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River.

He said the agency has been working with federal partners to address bear conflicts with rafters, hikers and campers in that section of the river, through public education and policy reform. Niemela said when necessary, they coordinate lethal removal of specific bears that demonstrate aggressive behaviors toward people.