I am apposed to the…

I am apposed to the implementation of a spring bear hunt for the following reasons:

If we want to maintain a robust bear population for hunters It remains prudent to not place stress on bears emerging from hibernation.

Furthermore, distinguishing a female from a male is problematic since the cubs are not always visible as the mothers often tree the young when they smell human presence. This leaves orphaned cubs if the mother is shot which would otherwise contribute to the bear population for the following year's fall bear hunt.

Females with cubs feeding on bear bait habituate to human food and become future problem bears which puts them at risk of being killed by conservation officers.

While the intent of the change in regulation appears to create a hunting opportunity in the spring and subsequently stimulate economic activity in rural Ontario the concept is not based on sound science, and would be a detriment of the species.

Bears are most vulnerable during the spring coming directly out of hibernation