EBR Registry Number: RB9E6001 Type of Posting: Regulation
Ministry: Natural Resources Status of Posting: ProposalDate Proposal Loaded: 1999/01/21
Comment Period: 30 day(s)
Written submissions may be made between January 21, 1999 and February 20, 1999.
NOTICE OF PROPOSAL FOR REGULATION:
Proposal Title:
Closure of spring season for hunting black bear: amendment to Ontario Regulation 670/98
(Open Seasons - Wildlife) made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Short Description:
In the past, the spring black bear (hereinafter referred to as bear) hunt was conducted each
year from April 15 to June 15 in most of the province. The government proposes to end
the spring bear hunt prior to it commencing in spring, 1999.
Some people have been concerned about young cubs orphaned each spring by hunters who
mistakenly shoot female bears shortly after emerging from winter hibernation with young
cubs in the spring. Ending the spring bear hunt is the only way to guarantee that females
with young cubs are not mistakenly shot during this hunt, thereby leaving orphans (which
experience a high mortality rate at this time of year). This proposal to end the spring bear
hunt will not reduce other hunting activities, including traditional fall hunts for deer,
moose and black bear.
To give legal effect to this proposal, an amendment would be made to O. Reg. 670/98
(Open Seasons - Wildlife) made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The effect
of the amendment would be to remove the open hunting season for bear in April, May and
June, likely by removing the words "From April 15 to June 15 and" from Column 3 for
Items 3.1 to 3.5 (Black Bear) inclusive, and removing the words "From April 15 to June
30 and" from Column 3 for Item 3.6 (Black Bear). A link to a website appears below,
which contains the present wording of the regulation.
Ontario has one of the largest bear populations in North America, estimated at 75,000 to 100,000.
Purpose of the Proposal:
To eliminate the mistaken shooting of female bears with young cubs during the spring
open hunting season.
Other Relevant Information:
***For the purpose of this notice, written comments are to be submitted to the Minister
of Natural Resources (mailing address and fax number listed below). Persons seeking
additional information may contact (705) 755-1902/(705) 755-2117 fax.
A January 15, 1999 news release and fact sheet on this proposal appears on MNR's
website, a link to which is provided below.
The government is exploring ways to diversify and strengthen northern tourism and, in
particular, to assist tourist operators affected by this proposal to end the spring bear hunt.
The Game and Fish Act was recently replaced by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
The new Act prohibits trade in most bear parts and also prohibits personal possession of
bear gallbladders separated from the carcass. The Act also prohibits: hunting bears while
they are swimming; disturbing or destroying bear dens; and, hunting bears within 400
metres of any garbage disposal site.
Other Public Consultation:
Wildlife population and habitat management activities are subject to Exemption Order
MNR-42 made under the Environmental Assessment Act. In accordance with this order,
MNR has given notice of this proposal via a province-wide news release. Public comment
is also being invited through newspaper advertisements and a direct mailing to stakeholder groups.
Regulatory Impact Statement:
The objective of this proposal is to eliminate the mistaken shooting of female bears with
young cubs during the spring hunting season.
The anticipated environmental consequences of the regulation are expected to be positive
insofar as the orphaning of young bear cubs as a result of hunting activity in the spring
will be eliminated. It is not expected that this proposal will have any significant, long-term
effect on the overall bear population.
In terms of the anticipated social consequences, ending the spring bear hunt will be viewed
favourably by those who have expressed concern about the orphaning of young bear cubs
in the spring. At present, a spring bear hunt is held in all other Canadian jurisdictions that
have bears, except Nova Scotia. Of the 41 U.S. states with bear populations, 27 have bear
hunting and six permit a spring hunt. Ending the hunt will not be viewed favourably by
those who participate in it, including hunters and bear operators.
The anticipated economic consequences of the proposal are also expected to be negative
for the tourist operators and guides that rely on the spring bear hunt for income. Most of
the expenditures on this hunt occur in central and northern Ontario. To partially offset this,
the government is exploring ways to diversify and strengthen resource-based tourism and,
in particular, to assist tourist operators who would be affected by an end to the spring bear hunt.
An amendment to O. Reg. 670/98 made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is
the only means by which this proposal can be given legal effect. Regulations provide the
force of law and are enforceable.
Comments should be directed to the following Contact Person:
The Hon. John Snobelen
Minister of Natural Resources
6th Floor, Whitney Block, 99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1W3
PHONE: (705) 755-1902 FAX: (705) 755-2117
AND
PREMIER Mike Harris
Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A1
fax 416-325-7578
Ph 416-325-1941Alternatively, you may access an electronic copy of the proposal and/or supporting documentation by clicking here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fwca/bear.html
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca
All comments will be considered as part of the decision-making by the Ministry if they:
(a) are submitted in writing;
(b) reference the EBR Registry number; and
(c) are received by the Contact person within the specified comment period.** No acknowledgement or individual response will be provided to those who comment.
All comment & submissions received will become part of the public record. **
INPUT MUST GO TO MINISTER SNOBELEN BEFORE AND NO LATER THAN FEB. 20, 1999COPIES CAN ALSO GO TO PREMIER MIKE HARRIS