Ontario could be bringing back the regular spring bear hunt.
The province is conducting a public consultation about the issue.
Back in 2014, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conducted a pilot to bring the spring bear hunt back.
The proposal, if adopted, would see the pilot brought back permanently, subject to yearly reviews.
Minister John Yakabuski says Ontario is home to a healthy black bear population but will continue to monitor harvest results.
The proposed changes are available on the Environmental Registry for feedback until February 18th.
Yakabuski says “We are listening to the concerns of northern Ontarians and the tourism industry that an ongoing pilot spring season creates economic uncertainty.”
He adds “A regular, monitored spring bear hunting season would enable tourism outfitters and camp owners to better plan their operations for the entire year, while also allowing hunters to better plan their activities and support local businesses.”
The province is also proposing updates to black bear regulations:
- Eliminating special black bear hunting opportunities for non-resident landowners and non-residents hunting with immediate relatives.
- Requiring people guiding resident bear hunters for commercial purposes to obtain a “Licence to Provide Black Bear Hunting Services.”
To provide input visit https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1112?_ga=2.155864507.1609372477.1579534994-492960091.1439478808
