Manitoba spring bear hunt is unfair and unnecessary

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/06/2024 (481 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When we think of trophy hunting, we may imagine the wealthy Americans who pay thousands of dollars to travel to faraway lands, to hunt down baited elephants or canned lions, often under the guise of conservation or feeding the poor. While a small percentage of the population may applaud the photos of these lifeless animals propped up as prizes, the rest of us will snarl and shake our heads at the cruel and callous display. “At least that would never happen here,” we may think. “Trophy hunting is an over-there problem.”

Except it’s not.

Right here in Manitoba, we too host tourists who are eager to hunt down and claim our animals: our black bears, just as they are emerging from their winter hibernation, hungry and ready to take the bait. Yes, the spring bear hunt is now well underway in our province. And animal advocates are calling for the unfair and unnecessary practice to end.

There are numerous outfitter companies that host hunts in regions across Manitoba. One company, near Riding Mountain National Park, charges US$3,500 for six days of hunting. It claims on its site that, “During your bear hunt you will be placed over an active bear bait site (and) with a little patience and some determination you will be able to harvest a trophy of a lifetime.”

Another company claims that “black bear hunting in the Northern Interlake Region has been considered as one of the top destinations in the world.” It even has a taxidermist on hand to help turn that kill into a memorable trophy — rugs and head mounts are most common, they write.

But local animal advocates say that the killing of black bears for fun in Manitoba is wrong and must end. The Winnipeg Humane Society states in an online position statement that the group “opposes the spring bear hunt and calls for the Government of Manitoba to end this practice.”

In the Manitoba government’s 2024 spring hunting guide, Jamie Moses, minister of economic development, investment, trade and natural resources, thanks hunters for the “important role” they play “in the stewardship and long-term sustainability of our valued natural resources.” Surely he’s not talking about the bears.

According to the guide, bait for black bears can be placed just over 200 metres from a road or dwelling, and just over 500 metres from a cottage subdivision or a Crown land picnic site or campground. And this can be done as of April 8, two weeks before the hunt begins on April 22, which is around the very time black bears typically emerge from their dens in need of food. So, they take the bait, becoming sitting ducks for eager trophy hunters.

For those bears not killed by crossbow, rifle, or shotgun, and who have become accustomed to seeking food at those bait stations, they then need only to travel a few hundred metres to possible nearby homes or cabins in search of their next meal. And we all know what then happens to those “nuisance” bears.

Hunting regulations state further that it is illegal to kill bear cubs, or mother bears with cubs. However, according to a 2024 study in the journal Ursus, published by the International Association for Bear Research, “it can be difficult for hunters to determine the reproductive status of a female, particularly if her cubs are not present.” Also, the authors note, there may be “a reluctance to report the death of a lactating female because of potential legal and/or regulatory implications. Thus, it is possible that spring bear hunting produces more orphaned cubs than are reported because cubs may die before being found as orphans.”

“Because mother bears often leave their cubs in a nearby tree or other location as they forage, the spring bear hunt results in mothers being recklessly killed,” says Manitoba lawyer Kaitlyn Mitchell, with national organization Animal Justice, “leaving their orphaned cubs to suffer and even die.”

Leslie Fox with Canadian wildlife advocacy organization, The Fur Bearers, also notes that orphaned cubs resulting from the hunt “places an unnecessary stress and financial burden on publicly funded rehabilitation centres to capture, transport and care for these animals.”

Manitoba Black Bear Rescue has rescued as many 32 orphaned bear cubs in a year, owner Judy Stearns recently told CTV News.

There is also “no evidence that spring bear hunting reduces human-bear conflict or improves human safety,” adds Mitchell. Rather than controlling bear populations by shooting them, she adds, “Manitoba should focus on promoting safe and respectful co-existence with these majestic animals.”

That certainly sounds like a better strategy toward the “long-term sustainability of our valued natural resources,” over trophy hunting them.

Jessica Scott-Reid is a Winnipeg-based journalist and animal advocate. She also sits on the board of directors at The Winnipeg Humane Society.