82 communities want spring bear hunt reinstated

The Canadian Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) last week sent the Hon. Jerry Ouellette, Minister of Natural Resources letters from eighty two (82) Ontario municipalities supporting the effort to get Ontario’s spring bear hunt re-instated.
Alarmed by the tremendous increase in the number of problem and nuisance bears throughout Ontario, we are calling on Minister Ouellette to listen to COHA and re-instate our most effective black bear population management tool.
For these 82 municipalities the bear problem has turned into a public safety issue. By joining with COHA, an advocacy organization, these municipalities are requesting that the government put back in place the only well regulated management tool for keeping an out of control black bear population at a safe and sustainable size.
“Our job is to motivate support and public awareness on this important issue while remaining well positioned to defend the return of the spring hunt.”
Said Ray Gosselin, Project Coordinator of COHA. “Recent events have proved that public safety is a non-partisan issue, be it rats on Toronto streets or black bears in your backyard.”
Some excerpts from letters of support include:
“The Township of Pelee support the effort of COHA in their effort to reverse the decision made by the province to stop the spring black bear hunts.” Pelee Township.
“The cancellation of the spring bear hunt has had a devastating effect on the operation of many local businesses and resorts because of the lost revenues.” Town of Rainy River.
“Council fully recognizes the importance of this matter and felt strongly about supporting this issue.” Emo Township.