Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry is proposing to make the spring black bear hunting season a regular, annual event.
Minister John Yakabuski says consultations are open on the proposed move, which builds upon the introduction of a spring black bear hunting season pilot in 2014, though he notes the plan is to still hold annual reviews.
The regular hunt would be similar to the pilot, keeping "all protections" for the black bear population, though it would reduce the season in the Bruce Peninsula area - to support the population's long-term sustainability - while eliminating special hunting opportunities for non-resident landowners and non-residents hunting with immediate relatives, and requiring people guiding resident bear hunters for commercial purposes to obtain a special licence.
Comments are being accepted through the Environmental Registry of Ontario until February 18th.