Bear cubs size, does it matter?

[stosto]

I passed up a beautiful, round and rusty red colored sow this weekend, since she had two large cubs with her (one while the other black). The cubs looked damn near big enough to be full size, born in 2021 I reckon.

Unsure about the regulation on this and not wanting to orphan the cubs, I watched them some and then I pulled out. Ended up getting a solo blackie later.

Question: does the size of cubs matter when making decisions in the field?

Thanks

[warnniklz]

Page 14 #12 in the regs

[notahypocrite]

without looking at the regs, i believe a sow with any cubs you cant shoot. and cubs can stay with their moms for up to two years if im correct.

[high horse Hal]

No, size doesn't matter

[stosto]

Thank you fellas!

[ElectricDyck]

The regs don't allow shooting a bear under 2 years old. Techinically they are 6 months in their first spring, 18 months in their second spring....Anyone know how big an 30 month old black bear is generally?

[moosinaround]

If a bear is observed in a family unit, it is illegal to shoot any of them!

[Livewire322]

If a bear is observed in a family unit, it is illegal to shoot any of them!
That’s not entirely correct.
From the “It’s unlawful” section of the regs: “to hunt a Black Bear less than 2 years old or any bear in its company.”
Which, in the situation the OP posted about, would mean that either bear is fair game, so long as both are older than two years.
I’m not advocating playing so closely to the boundaries, but people can if they are so inclined…