Ban the spring bear hunt…

Ban the spring bear hunt forever!

There is nothing redeeming about killing bears. Not only is it a violent act, but bear cubs will be orphaned. While it’s currently against the law to kill cubs and mother bears accompanied by cubs, mother bears often leave their cubs in trees when searching for food. If a mother is killed, her cubs will die slowly of starvation or be eaten by predators.

Hunting bears doesn’t improve human safety. Stopping human-bear conflict is achieved by removing access to garbage, barbecues, and other attractants. Please reinstitute the Bear-wise program which has proven effective in reducing human-wildlife conflict:
https://collections.ola.org/mon/13000/258030.pdf

Bears have low reproduction rates, meaning the survival of adult females is vital for the species.

The government has disclosed a need to reduce black bear hunting in Saugeen-Bruce Peninsula due to population concerns, yet it is simultaneously proposing to allow the hunting and trapping of these bears in that region for one week each spring. This is irresponsible.

Even the economic argument for allowing the hunt is weak. The government has said the economic impact would be neutral or positive, but has provided no evidence to support this claim.

Please, vote to end the abomination that is the spring bear hunt! And support Bear-wise programs!!