Well, sources now tell us that a committee of experts has completed a census of bears and found the population well in excess of 8,000, significantly more than the 6,000 bears originally estimated last year. Also, a dramatic increase in bear/human conflicts this year, including several reported fatalities, have helped convince the politicians behind the closure that the spring bear hunt is a necessary part of the country's wildlife management program. At press time, the committee's findings and recommendations were in the process of being approved by forestry officials, and Romanian sources anticipated sign-off by the prime minister this month.
Bob Kern of The Hunting Consortium is so convinced of the reopening of the spring season that he is accepting bookings now. He anticipates booking up to six hunters, and says they should see three to 10 bears over a five-day hunt. The cost is 500 Euros (about $630) per day, plus trophy fees based on a sliding scale set by the Romanian Forestry Department.
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