To Whom It May Concern,…

To Whom It May Concern,

Please be advised of my opinion that the Spring Bear Hunt should be eliminated. The following are my reasons why and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Best scenario. Spring Bear Hunt should be abolished, however if hunt is too continue, changes must be made.
-It should last 30 days, June 1 to June 30. -Baiting must stop after June 30 not to begin again until September 1st, or 2 weeks prior to fall hunt.
-Baiting should be a minimum of 2 km from the nearest residence or residential area and garbage must be cleared after hunt.
-Fall hunt should begin September 15 and end October 30 throughout Province.
-Females with cubs must be “truly” protected during the spring hunt and the fall hunt.
-The Ontario Government needs to hire more people for enforcement, this province needs more Conservation Officers.
-Bears (a few individuals) do occasionally prey on moose calves, this is “not" common.
-Best way to reduce human/bear conflicts is to manage people by making them manage their food waste.
*Females with cubs must be protected; currently that is difficult as cubs are frequently treed or kept away by their mother while she forages.
-The current season of May 1 to June 15 should be changed to June 1 to June 30 to protect females with cubs as well as the cubs themselves.
-Baiting must end when the season concludes and not begin again until shortly before the fall season and more stringent limits must be put in place to protect recreationalists, drivers, property owners, pets and others from bait piles that attract wildlife.
-All bait sites should be registered to ensure compliance.
-The Government must consider the impact of a spring bear hunt on other recreationalists’ safety, freedom to explore and expectations, as bear hunters in the spring make up a very small percentage of people enjoying the outdoors in Ontario.
-The use of hounds/dogs to chase, tree and/or otherwise harass bears should be immediately halted.