The Ontario government wants…

The Ontario government wants to permanently bring back the spring bear hunt, a dangerous, cruel, and irresponsible, move being condemned by environmental, and, animal protection groups!

The province outlawed the spring bear hunt in 1999 because bear cubs were being orphaned after their mothers were shot to death! After re-introducing spring bear hunt pilot projects in 2014, and, 2016, the government now wants to bring this unconscionable, egregious hunt back for good, all to appease the powerful hunting lobby!

The scene is sickening. Hungry black bears are baited with food, after they emerge from their dens, after a long winter of hibernation! When they reach the bait, they are mercilessly gunned down! It is truly unsportsmanlike!

Bears, like all wildlife, need our compassion, and, protection! It is unacceptable that the government is supporting the heinous, and, needless, trophy hunting of bears, just for fun, wall hangings, and bragging rights!

Now is the time for us to speak up to save the black bears, and their cubs! The public consultation period is open until Tuesday, February 18, 2020, and, we are urgently adding our voices!

Bear cubs will continue to be orphaned, if the hunt becomes permanent! While it is currently against the law to kill cubs, and, mother bears accompanied by cubs, 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!

Hunting bears does not improve human safety! Stopping human-bear conflict is achieved by removing access to garbage, barbecues, accessible trash cans, picnic supplies, and, other attractants!

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, and, contradictory!

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!

MY FAMILY AND I ARE BEGGING THE GOVERNMENT TO PROHIBIT THE SPRING BEAR HUNT! HAVE MERCY! Our family asks that you stop interfering with the natural world!