December 17, 2003
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, (O.F.A.H.), with 81,000 members and 660 member clubs across Ontario, is extremely disappointed at the announcement by the McGuinty government that they will accept the majority of findings and recommendations from the Nuisance Bear Review Committee but will not act on the recommendation to restore the spring bear hunt.
“The government’s decision flies in the face of all of the available science, including data provided to the Nuisance Bear Review Committee by the Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) own biologists, that clearly demonstrates that there is a direct connection between the cancellation of the spring bear hunt and the increase of nuisance bears in Ontario,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “The proceedings from the Black Bear Workshop in 1995, which included the participation of 36 M.N.R. biologists, concluded that the spring bear hunt had no negative biological impact on bear populations. In fact, they determined that there was no biological reason not to have a hunt. Studies by the Ministry’s senior bear biologists supported those findings, as have studies in Manitoba and Quebec, provinces that both maintain a spring hunt based upon sound science.”
While Mr. Reader acknowledged that the Province was planning to implement a nuisance bear management program in the interests of public safety, he also noted that changes to the way in which nuisance bears would be dealt with ignored the fact that the problem arose because of the cancellation of the spring bear hunt. “The decision by the Harris government to cancel the spring bear hunt turned the conservation clock back forty years, and reduced black bear from a valued species to vermin to be killed as nuisances. The current government appears to be following in the footsteps of their predecessors at the expense of sound black bear management.”
Mr. Reader also pointed out that without the return of a legal, regulated spring bear hunt, the number of nuisance bears will continue to increase, no matter what strategy is put into place. “The spring hunt was cancelled ostensibly to prevent the orphaning of bears cubs. Instead, the science clearly indicates that the cancellation of the hunt and the resulting proliferation of nuisance bears have contributed significantly to the increased orphaning of cubs. In making this decision, the government has proven that they intend to manage the valuable natural resources of this province based on political expediency, while choosing to ignore the data provided by their expert staff. It’s a shame the government doesn’t want to let their own scientists do their job,” stated Reader.
Contacts:
| Dr. Terry Quinney Provincial Manager, Fish & Wildlife 705-748-6324 |
Greg Farrant |
Related Stories