Over 1 million bears killed as trophies – USA in a hunting frenzy

A report by Humane World for Animals reveals the cruel extent of trophy hunting on black bears in North America.

Between 2000 and 2024, more than 1 million bears (1,014,773) were legally killed as trophies in the USA. Added to this is an unknown number of bear cubs that died miserably after hobby hunters had killed their mothers. Together with the trophies imported from Canada, the number of animals killed over the past 25 years amounts to around 1.2 million bears.

Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Maine: leaders in killing

According to the new report by Humane World for Animals, three states top the sad statistics:

• Wisconsin: 92’112 bears killed
• Pennsylvania: 83’914
• Maine: 81’489

These figures reveal a shocking picture of a hunting industry that is moving ever further away from ecological or ethical principles.

Hunting despite falling hunter numbers – the paradox

Although the number of hunters in the USA has declined considerably over the past two decades, bear hunting continues to increase. In 2000, about 34’000 bears were killed, and by 2023 already 51’000 – the deadliest year of the entire survey period.

This trend shows that hunting bears has long ceased to be a means of «population control» and is instead a commercial hobby of a trophy nature.

«Senseless extermination» – Humane World for Animals sounds the alarm

Trophy hunters have senselessly exterminated over one million black bears in just 25 years,
explains Wendy Keefover, head of wildlife protection at Humane World for Animals.

She criticises that state authorities often justify the hunt with alleged safety concerns. Yet the figures speak against this: despite rising kill numbers, the number of the already rare bear attacks has not decreased.

In other words: killing bears does not make people safer – it serves solely to satisfy hunting vanity.

Brutal hunting methods: from baiting, traps and dogs

Many states permit practices that, even in the 21st century, seem to belong to another era:

• Spring hunting, in which nursing bear mothers are killed.
• Baiting with junk food to lure bears.
• Chasing with dogs, in which other wild animals are also injured.
• Bow hunting, in which many animals do not die immediately but perish in agony.
• Trapping, which is still permitted in Alaska and Maine.

These methods stand in stark contradiction to any notion of «fair chase» – and reveal how deeply trophy hunting is anchored in US culture.

Black bears as an international commodity

Black bears are today the most frequently imported mammal trophy into the USA. Each year around 6’000 bear trophies are imported – more than 13 times as many as the second most imported animal species, the chacma baboon.

According to CITES data, 175’438 body parts of black bears were traded internationally between 1999 and 2023.

Society against trophy hunting – but politics remains inactive

According to representative surveys, 76 % of the US population reject trophy hunting of black bears.
In states such as Florida, Alaska and California, opposition is similarly high.

Nevertheless, the authorities continue to rely on hunting quotas, bait hunting and commercial licences instead of resolving conflicts between humans and bears through waste management, removal of food sources or education.

A wake-up call for the next 25 years

The ruthless killing of black bears must sharpen our collective awareness. The next 25 years must better align with the values of Americans, demands Keefover.

The report is a wake-up call for politics and society: an end to trophy hunting of bears is needed – in the USA, Canada and worldwide.

The figures show how far hunting policy in North America has drifted from ethical wildlife protection. While bears are regarded as a symbol of freedom and nature, they are systematically killed – often on flimsy grounds.

Bear hunting is neither necessary nor humane. It is a relic of bygone times – and its end would be a step forward for animal ethics and nature conservation.

Further articles on Wild beim Wild

• Trophy hunting: a bloody hobby without benefit
• Why hunting endangers species conservation
• Black bears: victims of the hunting industry