Spring Black Bear Season -…

Spring Black Bear Season - The Black Bear Spring Hunt is a great idea for Tourism as long as by bringing it in, it doesn't interfere with the allocation of Form 33's. If by bringing back the Spring Bear Hunt closes tourism to the north because of less allocations of Form 33's that we are previously allotted, then all that's being accomplished is the Closure of Tourism to Northern Ontario. The non-resident hunters bring new money to the region and support local businesses. The non-resident hunters pay more for their hunt which includes accommodations and higher licence fees which benefits the MNRF, and provincial and federal taxes. Non-resident hunters benefit the local outfitters so they don't have to close their businesses and they bring new money and support all local businesses such as service stations, restaurants, sport stores, and grocery stores, etc. Resident hunters have all these amenities at their disposal and don't bring new money to the area. Resident hunters also hunt on BMA's while non-resident hunters are hunting and ruin the paying customer hunts so they don't return the following year.

The proposal of non-resident landowners or non-resident immediate relatives of Ontario residents having to obtain a validation certificate, benefits the licensed bear outfitter and the provincial government. It will benefit the MNRF by getting them a quicker report.

Non licensed guides should never be able to benefit from providing guiding services in Licensed Bear Management Areas. Licensed Bear Management Areas should have first opportunities at any vacant BMA's.

Private farm land within a BMA should not be restricted. Outfitters bringing their non-resident hunters to hunt on private farm land are assisting the farmers in limiting crop damage. By doing this for the local farmers on their BMA, the meat is being used whereas if the farmer is allowed to shoot them they can leave the carcass to rot which is a waste of our natural resources. To benefit the MNRF, these bears would now be registered instead of not knowing how many bears have been harvested by the farmer.

Do Not Close Ontario for Business by giving it all to the Residents. Our signs at the border all say "Welcome to Ontario, We are Open For Business". Let's keep it that way!

Thank you