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Spring bear hunt pilot welcomed by OFA

By Mark Wales, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

In a well considered move, Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti recently announced a pilot spring bear hunt. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) commends and supports the ministry’s decision to launch the hunt across eight northern Ontario wildlife management areas this spring.

Since the annual spring hunt was cancelled in 1999, the rising bear population has put human safety at risk and caused increasing damage to agricultural crops and rural properties. The new six-week spring bear hunt pilot will run in select northern Ontario areas known for having the most public safety incidents involving the animals. According to the government, this project is aimed at cutting the number of emergency calls and instances when police are forced to shoot nuisance bears after failed trap-and-relocation efforts.
A pilot project approach to the bear hunt is a responsible and effective way to get the population under control, while examining the response and effectiveness of the hunt. The pilot will be strictly not for profit and further details on the anticipated 2015 hunt are expected to be announced later this month.

The 1999 cancellation of the annual spring bear hunt in Ontario was never clearly explained by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The hunt generated millions of dollars in economic activity annually across Northern Ontario. OFA believes reinstating the spring bear hunt will offer economic opportunities to northern communities while preventing damage, danger, and expense to rural communities and Ontario farm families.

OFA is launching an online campaign at actnow.ofa.on.ca to show our support of this spring’s bear hunt pilot. OFA members can send an electronic letter of support to their MPP, Premier Wynne, Minister Orazietti and other key policy makers. OFA believes this hunt is important because it provides the means to manage potential threats to our safety and livelihoods, making for stronger farm businesses and rural communities.

OFA is pleased to work with the provincial government to find practical solutions to issues like wildlife damage and control.

Source: OFA


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