1. A hunter in a tree stand…

1. A hunter in a tree stand over a bait site will not be able to distinguish a female with cubs from a female without cubs or male unless the cubs are present.
2. A bear coming into a bait site will almost always approach from downwind and will detect the presence of the hunter In tree stand from as much as 1/4 mile distant.
3. Bear bait sites are contaminated with human scent from the bait, the hunter and the outfitter who places the bait Bears that frequent a bait site, perhaps during the night, and not harvested will have learned to associate a food source with human scent. These bears will in all probability become nuisance animals if the opportunity arises at remote campsites or in rural and even urban residential areas. They will have no fear of humans and could become a threat to humans.
4. Females with cubs will typically hide the cubs before approaching a bait site if at all suspicious of human scent.
5. A Conservation Officer will not check a bait site if a hunter is present so as not to disturb the hunting opportunity or to avoid being shot by accident and therefore will have little opportunity to inspect whether or not a female will cubs has been harvested.
6. A hunter who has either accidently or purposely shot a female bear with cubs is highly unlikely to report his mistake to OMNRF or to even retrieve the animal for fear of being found in contravention of the law.
7. Spring bear hunting can be successful without using bait since in early spring bears typically feed on grass and other plants and can be found in open areas such beaver meadows, hydro and has right of system etc. A hunter would be better able to determine if the bear is accompanied by cubs.
Bait hunting is simply unethical and unnecessary.
8. MNRF should consult with leading bear research scientists within and without the organization and not rely heavily on advice from outfitter or hunter organizations who will have be biased towards reinstating the hunt for monetary or recreational opportunity reasons.
9. A study of the relationship with bear baiting and nuisance bears and even attacks on humans by bears should be conducted by radio collaring or other means to determine the association if any before launching a permanent spring hunt.