Ontario proposes new management rules for the black bear hunt

Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has proposed population targets for black bears across 29 regions and is seeking public feedback; the plan would introduce a lottery tag system if local populations fall below targets and could permit a second harvest where populations exceed upper thresholds.

Ontario is proposing changes to how black bears are managed that could affect hunters, outfitters and bear populations across the province. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is developing population targets for black bears in 29 regions and has invited public feedback. Under the proposal, areas below target could move to a lottery tag system for hunters, while areas above an upper limit could allow a second bear harvest. The government also plans to amend the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to extend the ban on hunting cubs or females accompanied by cubs into the fall and to prohibit possession of bear bile. Key facts: - Ontario cancelled its spring bear hunt in 1999 amid concerns that cubs were being orphaned, and the spring hunt was restored in 2014. - The ministry has proposed population targets for black bears across 29 management regions and received thousands of public responses to the initial targets. - The proposal would require hunters to enter a lottery tag system in regions where populations fall below local targets and could allow a second harvest where populations exceed upper thresholds. - The ministry reports a provincial black bear population of about 75,000 and recorded 6,207 bears taken by hunters in 2024, up from 4,841 the year before. - Ontario uses a Barbed Wire Hair Trap Program that lures bears with sardines and collects hair for genetic and population estimates. - Some outfitters say they never returned to bear hunting after the 1999 cancellation and that local knowledge can differ from government estimates. Summary: If adopted, the population targets and related rules would change how hunters access bear tags and how local quotas are set for outfitters across different regions. The ministry has released initial targets and is collecting public feedback; proposed legal changes include extending protections for cubs and females with cubs into the fall and prohibiting possession of bear bile. Next steps include review of the feedback and potential amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.