Re-instate spring bear hunt

Dear sir:
After reading Glenn Witherspoon’s announcement on some recommendations by the nuisance bear committee, this report was supposed to be announced last August but it was delayed for some reason, possibly due to the provincial election.
But no matter what, this issue is very important to all of us—the nuisance bears, as well as over-population and the economic loss of tourism.
As stated, the hunt was cancelled for political reasons, not based on biological facts. The cancellation was caused by anti-hunting groups that accused hunters of shooting sows with cubs, which, by the way, was illegal.
It should be noted that every outfitter and hunter has to fill out a Form 32 and an export permit. We have done this for many years, so there already is good sound data regarding the numbers and sex of bears.
I agree that the fall hunt starting Aug. 15 was a bad idea and that it should start on Sept. 1, just as it was in the past. But I disagree with the northern spring hunt date being from May 1-June 1.
Here in Northwestern Ontario, this is way too early, not only for the bears but to ensure active baits in order to have a successful hunt. The date should be extended to June 15.
If the Ministry of Natural Resources is truly concerned about shooting sows with cubs, they should make it illegal to do so—just as it was in the past.
Trying to determine the sex of a bear under most conditions is difficult at best for outfitters, let alone a first-time bear hunter. It’s far more biologically sound to not shoot cows with cubs.
I urge the MNR to reinstate the hunt as stated above for a period of five years and to monitor all bear-related activity, including the nuisance bear problems.
This problem didn’t happen overnight and it will take at least five years to produce accurate results.
Signed,
Clifford R. Long
Cobblestone Lodge
Ignace, Ont.