Dear Michael, Bears need…

Dear Michael,

Bears need your help!

The Ontario government wants to permanently bring back the spring bear hunt, a dangerous 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 cruel 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.

Bears, like all wildlife, need our compassion and protection. It’s unacceptable that the government is supporting the cruel and needless trophy hunting of bears.

Michael, it’s now time to speak up. The public consultation period is open until Tuesday, February 18, 2020, and we urgently need you to add your voice!

Please consider the following points from our legal team when submitting your comments:
• Bear cubs will continue to be orphaned if the hunt becomes permanent. While it’s 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 doesn’t improve human safety. Stopping human-bear conflict is achieved by removing access to garbage, barbeques, 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.
• 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.