I am writing to urge you to…

I am writing to urge you to abolish the spring bear hunt. It is cruel and entirely unnecessary. The best and most compassionate way to reduce human-bear conflicts is to provide education and enforcement to ensure that humans manage their waste and do not attract bears.

Should the bear hunt be allowed to continue, significant changes must be made: it should last only 30 days (June 1-30); baiting should be at least 2 kms from residential areas, garbage should be cleared after the hunt; baiting should be stopped after June 30, and not begin again until September 1st (2 weeks prior to the fall hunt); the fall hunt should begin September 15 and end October 30 throughout the province; hunting with dogs must be banned, and; female bears with cubs must be completely protected during both the spring hunt and the fall hunt.

Finally, the Ontario Government must hire additional staff for enforcement purposes, including Conservation Officers.

Please make the compassionate and ethical decision to preserve wildlife and to allow humans and wildlife to coexist peacefully.