I would like to express my…

I would like to express my opposition to the changes proposed in ERO 019-1112 (black bear hunting) and ERO 019-0022 (black bear baiting). The annual spring bear hunt should be eliminated completely. There is no evidence that this hunt has reduced human/bear conflicts. Further, black bear sows are not always with their cubs in the spring. A hunter may not see the cubs and may not recognize a male from a female bear. Therefore, they may kill a sow and subsequently her cubs will die from starvation or predation, reducing the population even further.

The black bear population on the Bruce Peninsula is in steep decline and should be protected. The spring bear hunt, even for a week, should be banned completely to allow for the recovery of this genetically-distinct population.

I believe bait-bating is unethical. Reducing the distance of bear bait from recreational trails and rights of way puts human populations at risk.

I urge you to reject these proposals.