I live in the Ottawa Valley…

I live in the Ottawa Valley and am strongly opposed to the reinstatement of a Spring bear hunt. Hunters really cannot tell the difference much of the time between a male bear and a female bear with cubs. No regulating by the Ministry will change the numbers of cubs that are orphaned when their mothers are shot in error. I think it's irresponsible to reinstate this hunt. I also think it's deeply unfair to target bears just out of hibernation when they are at their most vulnerable.

Eco-tourism is actually more lucrative and has an economically brighter future than traditional hunting, so the economic argument to support the bear hunt really doesn't hold up. I would prefer to see the Ontario government provide real leadership and encourage economic diversity in the Valley, rather than returning to a practice that was stopped because of the problems it caused.