Ontario black bear hunting extended

By Corey Jacobs

BELLEVILLE – Ontario is extending the black-bear hunting program by adding a spring hunt and new areas where hunting is allowed.

Currently there is only a fall hunting season for black bears, and the hunt is only allowed in certain areas. The extended program will include a spring hunting season from May 1 to June 15.

It will also extend the hunting grounds to other jurisdictions, called wildlife management units.  There are 95 wildlife management units in Ontario; 88 of them will have black-bear hunting in the fall.

The expanded program will last at least five years, to 2020.

Another change is that non-resident hunters can join the spring hunting season. Hunters will be able to harvest one bear per year.

The program is expected to support economic growth and tourism in northern Ontario. It is also intended to address growing concerns about the large bear population encroaching on residential areas.

QNet News is looking for bear hunters to discuss how they feel about the extended program. We will also be contacting the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Stay tuned.