The Return of Ontario's Spring Bear Season

Author: Dean Taylor

Photo by Cullen Sikkes

Although most hunters cringe at the sight of hunting-related stories hitting the mainstream media, it looks as though there may be some positive news coming to the front of Ontario hunting. On January 17th, 2020, the Province of Ontario put forth its proposal for the return of the province's once-abolished spring black bear hunt.

The hunt was initially banned in 1999 due to pressure from animal rights activists concerned with the potential orphaning of bear cubs during the spring season, a time when they are especially reliant on their mothers. The ban was immediately challenged by groups such as the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) due to its lack of scientific backing and its overlooking of the socioeconomic consequences the ban would have. This backlash from hunters and the work of various local organizations resulted in the return of the spring bear hunt in 2014 through a two-year pilot project.

This pilot project allowed the hunt to be brought back in designated areas, particularly those with high numbers of bear encounters such as North Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. Once it ended in 2015, the pilot season was renewed in 2016 for four more years, now including all management areas with an existing fall season.

While this pilot project was a huge success for hunters, outfitters and Ontario NGOs, it is now set to expire and is up for public review until February 18th. The newly proposed season will bring back the spring bear hunt for good as of 2021, incorporating restrictions on shooting cubs, as well as mothers with cubs to address the issue of orphaning that shut down the season two decades ago. This restriction is accompanied by $25,000 fine and the potential for one-year imprisonment for any offenders, which was carried over from the 2016 pilot season. The permanence of the season will also address the uncertainty that guides and outfitters have had to deal with during the pilot stages, an industry that brings in $2.4 million annually for the province’s fish and wildlife program.

As mentioned above, this proposal is currently in the public comment phase and is looking for hunters like you to provide feedback and help get the proposal off the ground. Comments are able to be submitted at this link until February 18th, however, reaching out to your local representatives is also a great way to let them know this is something that matters to you.