THE bowhunting community is still reeling from the unexpected announcement two weeks ago that the 1999 Ontario, Canada, spring black-bear season, scheduled to begin in April, has been canceled.
Apparently buckling from pressure applied by animal-rights and anti-hunting groups, Ontario Natural Resources Minister John Snobelen said the government believes the move will prevent bear cubs from being orphaned by hunters who illegally shoot sow bears in the spring.
The move sparked almost an immediate protest from hunters in the form of phone calls, faxes, e-mails to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Ontario outfitters and hunting lodges were caught completely off guard by the abrupt announcement, and most had booked hunters and accepted cash deposits for this spring’s season. It is estimated that the cancellation could impact the northern Ontario economy to the tune of $50 million, and could put many operations out of business.
The International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) has joined with other organizations and hunters to condemn the action. In a letter of protest sent to Snobelen, the IBO Board of directors announced its full support of a sportsmen’s boycott of the Province of Ontario until the ban is reversed.
Ontario boasts a stable black-bear population of between 75,000 and 100,000. In announcing the ban, Snobelen said that it was estimated that about 250 bear cubs are “orphaned” as a result of the spring hunt. He did not offer a source for his data or did he signify a cub mortality rate.
“By all appearances, this decision was not based on sound biological principles and data, but rather on baseless assertions and emotion,” said the IBO letter to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. “If, indeed, the Ministry is simply concerned with the survival rate of black-bear cubs, may we suggest utilizing regulations and enforcing current laws to meet its goals.”
“Many hundreds of our members regularly enjoy spring bear hunting in Ontario,” said IBO president Ken Watkins. “Losing that opportunity is unfortunate, but not as economically disastrous as for those whose livelihood depends on that hunt. In addition to Ontario outfitters, hundreds of U.S. bowhunting dealers annually offer Ontario hunting trip packages through their shops. These dealers now face reduced income and loss of sales as the result of the ban.”
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources will accept written comment on the ban until Feb. 20, 1999. The IBO is encouraging its membership and all affiliate clubs to contact the ministry and request a reversal of the ban. You can write to Minister, John Snobelen, Ministry of Natural Resources, Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1W3; their web site is at, http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/. Or you can e-mail them at, nricmn@epo.gov.on.ca.
