The spring hunt has been…

The spring hunt has been absent since 1999. The tourism operators and communities need to diversify and seek out other options of tourism. I too, live in an area that is dependant on tourism dollars in order to sustain a healthy local economy. While hunting in this region is still a family tradition, it is no longer a viable tourism option. In the past 15 years, commercial hunt camps have become a thing of the past here in central Ontario, replaced by tourism operators that focus on a thriving environment, the sustainability of our ecosystems and pride in the health and diversity of our local wildlife. This has become a viable draw for experiential tourism operators. There is no longer a need to kill wildlife for commercial tourism needs. The current generation of destination travelers and adventure seekers do not want to use guns. An Instagram feed and photography workshops would bring in more tourism dollars than killing bears. I strongly feel that as a proud Ontarian, we can overcome the antiquated ideals of our ancestors and progress to a higher ideal. One of respect, that nurtures our communities as a whole. Reinstating the spring Bear hunt would be a step entirely in the wrong direction.