Wildlife Advocacy
Government proposes a full return of the spring bear hunt
OFAH Voices Support for the Return of the Spring Bear Hunt in 2020
The OFAH has a long history of supporting the full return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario, citing scientific evidence that it is sustainable. In 2020, the OFAH wrote to the MNR clarifying information around the orphaning of cubs and emphasizing that regulations are in place to protect cubs and females with cubs.
This letter also asked for more information on proposed changes for the Bruce Peninsula bear population, the simplification of reporting requirements for hunters and maintaining special hunting opportunities for non-resident family members.
We applaud the Government of Ontario for proposing to regularize the spring bear hunt. We acknowledge that the spring bear hunt remains a contentious issue, but commend the government for following the scientific evidence showing that the spring hunt is sustainable, rather than letting emotional rhetoric and targeted disinformation campaigns dictate wildlife management in the province. This reaffirms one of the core principles of the North American Model of wildlife management – that science is the proper tool to guide wildlife policy. Allowing emotion to dictate wildlife management decisions in the province is a slippery slope. Those who advocate for the cancellation of the spring hunt based on personal opposition to hunting fail to realize that, by deviating from the principle of science guiding policy, they are opening a door that would allow other emotional arguments to influence wildlife management in the province. There are those who view black bears as vermin that should be exterminated, which is an equally emotional response. Neither of these extreme views should dictate wildlife policy if our goal is to have sustainable bear populations in the province.
Download and read full letter here
OFAH is for all Ontarians
Connecting the Hunting Community
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is committed to providing inclusive and educational hunting programs that foster a strong, united community of conservation-minded hunters.
