ONTARIO—The Ontario government is expanding the spring bear hunting pilot season, which will include both Manitoulin and Cockburn Islands, to gather further information to assess concerns voiced by Northern communities about human-bear conflicts, and to support economic growth and tourism in the North.
“Yes, the expansion of the pilot project includes Manitoulin Island and Cockburn Island,” said Emily Kirk, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). “They will include a spring hunt season in addition to the fall hunt season.”
“Yes, I think it is good news,” said Bobby Tuomi, a big game hunting guide on Manitoulin. “I would say there is a fair amount of black bears on the Island, not so much from here (Kagawong to Little Current), but from Kagawong west to Meldrum Bay.”
“While science shows one of the biggest influences on the number of human-bear encounters is the availability of natural food sources, we also understand that bear-related public concerns are very real for people living in Northern and central Ontario and we are committed to assisting those communities to deal with this problem,” said Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
The spring bear hunt pilot expansion will include: extending the pilot by an additional five years, through 2020; all 88 wildlife management units that currently have a fall bear hunt; and non-resident hunters.
Under the expanded pilot it will still be illegal to hunt bear cubs and females with cubs. Anyone convicted of this offence could face a fine of up to $25,000 and up to one year imprisonment. In most cases, each licenced hunter will only be allowed to hunt one bear in each calendar year.
Baiting of bears during all bear hunting sessions will be regulated to help address public safety concerns, including: bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a residence unless written permission is obtained from the residence’s owner; bait must not be placed within 500 metres of a public building; bait must not be placed within 200 metres of a right of way for public vehicle traffic or a marked public recreational trail.
“The OFAH (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) congratulates the provincial government for recognizing that spring bear hunting is a valuable and sustainable wildlife management tool that offers many ecological, socio-economic and cultural benefits throughout the entire province,” said Angelo Lombardo, OFAH executive director.
The spring bear hunt pilot will take place from May 1 through June 15, starting in 2016 and ending in 2020.
