The proposal to reinstate a…

The proposal to reinstate a spring bear hunt on the Bruce (Saugeen) Peninsula is ill-conceived and runs counter to several of the Ministry's own guidelines.

The black bear population on the peninsula is a discrete, isolated and vulnerable estimated population of no more than 300 individuals. It faces pressure from increasing recreational development, changing land use strategies and habitat fragmentation. The species is an integral part of the natural heritage of this part of Ontario that is recognized both within the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve and the Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Without careful management to ensure the species' future, not as a hunting opportunity, but as a unique and valued living heritage, is at risk. The decline to vulnerability and ultimate extinction is inevitable!

The ministry recognizes the priority for conservation in the accompanying Black Bear Management Framework that outlines the case for management and reinstatement of a spring hunt across Ontario.
In the introduction, the opening statement states:
"Black bears are highly valued and unique members of Ontario’s wildlife heritage, symbols of wilderness, an integral part of a functioning ecosystem, and an important component of Ontario’s biodiversity." * all quotations are taken directly from theMinistry proposal.

That statement is reinforced (Sec. 2.1)
"An enhanced black bear management program will contribute to the conservation of black bears and their habitat and, in doing so, assist Ontario in achieving biodiversity conservation goals to (1) protect the genetic, species and ecosystem diversity of Ontario. . .".

The bears on the peninsula represent a unique genetic pool and are of importance, in terms of understanding species as a whole, and its evolution within the province. As with the species as a whole, they also exhibit (Sec.4.4):
". . . relatively slow reproductive capacity relative to other harvested large mammals. . . " .
These two factors combined indicate the importance of maintaining as diverse a breeding stock as possible, especially within such an isolated population. A hunt would diminish, rather than enhance success a process.

Finally, the final section of the Ministry statement (Sec 6.10) advises:
"Black bear populations will be managed at the appropriate landscape scale within an ecosystem context."
In that context, the limited parameters of the Bruce Peninsula require stable, productive and secure habitats. This is paramount, as pressures escalate against the population; habitat loss, changing agriculture that has seen cask crops replace grazing and the long term existence of meadows, and forests that have seen the loss of American Beech with their critical production of nuts - a staple of bear diets are all negative forces facing the population.

The Bruce Peninsula black bear population is an integral, part of this unique region that lies within a two to three hours drive of 80% of Ontario's population. It requires discrete and supportive management recognizing its unique challenges, Its future, more than any other of its species in Ontario, is dependent on such management.

The ministry should consider protection and conservation for long term security of the population, a priority, not hunting!. A spring hunt on the Bruce, might meet the requests of a handful of hunters, but at what cost to the population of this remarkable survivor? Bear hunting on the Bruce should banned completely!