It'll be easier to hunt bears in Ontario if this passes (updated)

The province announced a proposal this morning to extend the spring bear hunt for another five years as it attempts to address nuisance bear issues in the North.

Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti says improvements have been made since the previous hunt was cancelled in the late 1990s. 

“There was a decision made in 1999 that eliminated this practice. But it is an effective wildlife-management tool, it is used in virtually every province and territory in the country,” said Orazietti.

He said the hunt will also create greater opportunities for tourism operators, as it will be open to non-residents.

The harvesting of bear cubs and female bears with cubs will still be illegal and there are changes to rules around baiting.

“There are some improvements in baiting in terms of how long it can be up for, where it is located. Baiting helps in identification and reduces orphaning of bear cubs,” Orazietti said.

As then-Minister of Natural Resources, Orazietti announced a pilot project in 2013 to create a limited spring bear hunt in some communities, including Sault Ste. Marie.

Today’s announcement sees the spring hunt expanded to every community which currently has a fall bear hunt.

Orazietti believes Sault residents will welcome the return of the hunt, which he suggests will reduce the amount of nuisance bears that enter the city.

In most cases across Ontario, police respond first to bear calls.

“They are not trained in bear management. They don’t have the tools, equipment or resources,” said Orazietti.

“I believe the policing associations across the province are welcoming this news,” he added.

The proposed regulatory changes to the hunt are not required to passed through the Ontario legislature but Orazietti said they will be open for public comment before being considered.

He hopes changes will come into effect this coming spring.

The following is today's news release from Orazietti's office:

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Province Listening to Concerns of Northern Ontario Residents

Ontario is proposing to extend the spring bear hunt by an additional five years in order to gather more information, support economic growth and tourism in the north, and further address concerns from northern communities about nuisance bears, announced David Orazietti, MPP.

“Our government heard from Northern communities, including Sault Ste. Marie, about concerns regarding human-bear encounters,” said Orazietti. “We are moving ahead with an expanded spring bear hunt in order to gain further information on its effectiveness and to continue supporting economic development and tourism opportunities in the North while maintaining a sustainable bear population.”

The extended and expanded spring bear hunt would include all 88 Wildlife Management Units that currently have a fall bear hunt, and would be open to both resident and non-resident hunters.

Under the expanded proposal, it would remain illegal to hunt bear cubs or female bears with cubs.

Anyone convicted of this offence could face a fine of up to $25,000 and up to one year imprisonment.

In most cases, each licensed hunter would only be allowed to hunt one bear in each calendar year.

Additionally, the baiting of bears would be regulated to help address possible public safety concerns.

If passed, the province would monitor and evaluate the success of this expanded project on an ongoing basis.

Ontario will continue to work with municipalities on ways to limit human-bear interactions.

Supporting economic growth and tourism in the north is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up.

The plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES

“Dealing with situations involving nuisance bears is a challenge to our police service and in some circumstances creates a public safety issue in our community. This proposed expansion of the spring bear hunt provides Northern communities, like Sault Ste. Marie, with another tool when it comes to safe and effective management of dangerous wildlife.” - Robert A. Keetch, Chief of Police, Sault Ste. Marie Police Services

“It may be difficult for some to understand that for our students and school staff, bear sightings and activating safety procedures for dealing with bears on school properties have been frequent occurrences across our large district. This proposed expansion will help protect residents, including school children, and will allow them to enjoy the outdoors with a reduced likelihood of encountering a nuisance bear.  This is a great step forward for community and schoolyard safety.” - Lucia Reece, Director of Education, Algoma District School Board

“Human-bear interactions are a concern in northern communities, including here in Sault Ste. Marie. It’s important to help ensure our children remain safe in our community, whether they are at home or in the school yard.” - John Stadnyk, Director of Education, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is home to a healthy and sustainable black bear population with up to 105,000 black bears living in the province.
• Currently across Canada, each province and territory with black bears has a spring and fall bear hunt except Nova Scotia and Ontario.
• In 2014 and 2015, Ontario held a two-year bear management pilot program in eight wildlife management units, all of which reported high levels of nuisance bear activities. The hunt was open to Ontario residents from May 1 to June 15. Communities in and around these units include Timmins, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay.
• The proposed spring bear hunt expansion is available for public comment on Ontario’s Environmental Registry.

LEARN MORE

• Black bears in Ontario
• Who to contact if you encounter a bear

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(FILE PHOTO: Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)