Province looks to expand the Spring Bear Hunt pilot program

Back in August, North Bay City Council called on the province to make the Spring Bear Hunt permanent.

Now, the province is proposing an extended Spring Bear Hunt pilot program, for the next five years.

Officials say it would be to gather further information to assess concerns voiced by northern communities about human-bear conflicts, and to support economic growth and tourism in northern Ontario.

All 88 wildlife management areas that currently have a fall bear hunt would be included along with non-resident hunters.

Hunting bear cubs and females with cubs would remain illegal.

North Bay was one of the areas involved in the initial two year pilot program that wrapped up this spring.

The proposed spring bear hunt pilot expansion is now available for public comment on Ontario’s Environmental Registry.