Hello, I am writing this…

Numéro du REO

019-1112

Identifiant (ID) du commentaire

43789

Commentaire fait au nom

Individual

Statut du commentaire

Commentaire

Hello, I am writing this comment in the sincere hopes that you will reconsider your proposal for implementing a regular spring hunting season of black bears in Ontario. By doing so, the likelihood of hunting and shooting a female black bear increases, leaving her cubs as orphans and consequently decreasing their chances of survival. Accountability for a hunter's actions will be made harder as they can fall back on the excuse of not being able to distinguish between a male and female black bear.
Reducing the spring hunting season of black bears in the Bruce Peninsula is not worth applaud if it means endangering other black bear populations. According to the proposal details, "Research indicates that there has been a decline in bear numbers and that human-caused mortality should be reduced to support sustainability of this genetically isolated population." Why run the risk of decreasing population numbers for other black bears in Ontario? Would it not make more sense (protection wise) to effectively eliminate the spring hunting season for Bruce Peninsula's black bears?
I understand the desires of hunters and tourists, but at what expense should their demands be met. Black bears are an iconic species of Canadian wildlife and important for maintaining biodiversity as top predators. Implementing this proposal will encourage future hunting regulations (not only for black bears, but other wildlife) that will do more harm than good in the long-term. This is not a sustainably sound proposal, but rather an economically driven decision without consideration for the fatal consequences, especially for female black bears. Once again, I sincerely ask you to reconsider this proposal. I look forward to hearing a positive response from the ministry in the near future.
Thank you.