Ontario proposes extension of spring hunt for black bears

By Corey Jacobs

BELLEVILLE – Ontario is proposing to extend the black-bear hunt to the spring, and to allow more hunters.

The proposal would extend an existing two-year pilot program another five years. It would establish an open season for black bears in the spring, instead of just the fall, for all hunters, both those who live in Ontario and non-residents. It would also extend the hunting grounds to other jurisdictions, called wildlife management units.

Emily Kirk, the press secretary and communications adviser for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, says there are economic benefits to the proposal:

There are 95 wildlife management units in Ontario; 88 of them have black-bear hunting in the fall.

Bruce Wilkins, the owner of Golden Eagle Camp and Outfitters north of Sudbury at Matachewan, Ont., says his lodging used to have equal numbers of moose and bear hunters, but now he has more bear hunters:

The spring season for bear hunting will be May 1 to June 15. Hunters will be able to harvest one bear per year. Cubs and mothers of cubs are not to be shot.

Wilkins says the spring season is different than the fall:

The proposal will also regulate the procedures that hunters use to bait (attract) bears. There will be rules on such things as the location and containers used for baiting.

Wilkins said he has concerns about the new baiting regulations:

Public comments can be made online at the Environmental Registry website  (search black bear proposal) until Nov. 30.