As an Ontarian, I am deeply…

As an Ontarian, I am deeply opposed to permanently bring back the spring bear hunt. Hunting bears doesn’t improve human safety. Stopping human-bear conflict is achieved by removing access to garbage, barbeques, and other attractants. On the issue of bear cubs, they will continue to be orphaned because mother bears often leave their cubs in trees when searching for food. If a mother is killed, her cubs will likely die slowly of starvation or be eaten by predators.

Bears have low reproduction rates, meaning the survival of adult females is vital for the species. The government has disclosed a need to reduce black bear hunting in Saugeen-Bruce Peninsula due to population concerns, yet it is simultaneously proposing to allow the hunting and trapping of these bears in that region for one week each spring. This is irresponsible. Even the economic argument for allowing the hunt is weak. The government has said the economic impact would be neutral or positive, but has provided no evidence to support this claim.

It is clear that the many issues listed above make the spring bear hunt the wrong thing to do for the species and our community. I would rather your efforts be directed to researching and educating the public on how to co-exist peacefully with bears... not how to encourage violence and suffering. Thank you for your time and consideration.