Thank you for reading my…

Thank you for reading my comments.

At this time, the size of the genetically isolated, and potentially genetically unique, black bear population on the Bruce Peninsula (“The Bruce”) is not reliably known. This is an important quantity of which to be aware at it must represent the basis for population management decisions. For this reason alone, black bear hunting on the Bruce should be suspended until population numbers are reliably known. One should look even more deeply, however.

On the unhunted Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, the black bear population is on the order of 40/100 km**2; this is a reasonable estimate for a “natural” population density. Therefore, on the Bruce, for a minimum safety margin, this means population densities should not be allowed to fall below 20/100 km**2.

Moreover, for a small population, it is desirable to have no fewer than 50 individuals, with four times that, 200, being preferred. A population of 50 individuals of a species which does not begin to reproduce until about age five may not contain many breeding individuals, so an ideal population would contain much closer to 200 individuals.

Considering that the population of bears on the Bruce is unknown but certainly small, and considering that a spring hunt allows for the possibility, if even only by accident, of killing a sow while orphaning her cubs, all hunting of bears on the Bruce should be suspended, but perhaps especially spring hunting.

Should the resumption of a hunt be considered, this cannot be allowed to occur before the population of bears is clearly established, and that it well-exceeds 200 individuals. Further, in order to capture and maintain any unique genetic traits of these animals, a priority must be to establish population connectivity to populations further south and east of the Bruce.

In general, at this time, black bear hunting on the Bruce should be suspended so that recovery of the population, accompanied by quantifiable sustainability, can occur. There exists no reason to risk imperiling this unique population.