The Ontario government is taking steps to ensure a healthy and sustainable black bear population while supporting small businesses and jobs in northern and central Ontario. Today, John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, announced the start of government’s consultation on a proposal to move to a regular annual spring black bear hunting season.
In 2014, Ontario introduced a spring black bear hunting season pilot that supported sustainable hunting of black bears. The spring black bear hunting season pilot has continued each year since then. The province proposes to make the pilot a regular annual spring season subject to annual review.
“Ontario is home to a healthy bear population,” said Minister Yakabuski. “The province will continue to monitor black bear populations, harvest results and sustainability indicators to inform an annual review and ensure bear populations are managed sustainably.”
As part of this proposal, all protections for Ontario’s black bear population would remain in place. For example, it would remain illegal to harvest black bear cubs and females with cubs in the spring, a crime that carries a potential fine of up to $25,000 and up to one-year imprisonment.
In addition to this proposal, Ontario is also proposing to take action to support the long-term sustainability of the declining black bear population on the Bruce Peninsula by reducing the bear hunting season in this area.
The spring black bear hunting pilot has been well received by northern communities and the tourism and hunting industries that support small businesses and jobs in northern and rural Ontario. The proposal to implement a regular season was recommended by the Big Game Management Advisory Committee (BGMAC). In Spring 2019, the government formed BGMAC to advise the province on how to improve big game management in Ontario.
“We are listening to the concerns of northern Ontarians and the tourism industry that an ongoing pilot spring season creates economic uncertainty,” said Minister Yakabuski. “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.”
The proposed changes are now available on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for public feedback until February 18, 2020.
In 2017, black bear hunters in Ontario spent approximately $50.6 million in hunting-related purchases
Great move! We have a healthy population in this province both of bears and wolves! In one study years ago 75% of the spring bear harvested had consumed moose calf or fawn deer! Cancellation of the spring bear hunt by the then inept leadership Mike Harris was done on no other then lobbying by animal activists! Most living in the cities that don’t have to deal with Mother Nature. So great move on Doug Fords part! You have no problem reading about some kind of wild animal trying to eat someone’s dog or cat these days! So let’s help the out fitters make a living! It is a renewable resource and there is lots of them, just talk to the hunters and trappers of this province they will fill you in! If not then let your dog and cat out and introduce them to the food chain! I love it!