Bear Management Area (BMA) question?

[spcamno]

What exactly is a BMA (Bear management area)?

https://geohub.lio.gov.on.ca/dataset...ent-area/about

It appears many Crown Land has been assigned to tourist operators licensed to provide black bear hunting service.

My question is are you still allowed to hunt those Crown Land for bear if it fall within a BMA?

Just don't want to interfere with outfitters / guides in the area and wants to be clear.

[finsfurfeathers]

My guess is it regulates the commercial side of hunting but not the recreational. Guides can't infringe on the designated area however the average joe would treat it as hunting with any other hunters in the area.

[spcamno]

My guess is it regulates the commercial side of hunting but not the recreational. Guides can't infringe on the designated area however the average joe would treat it as hunting with any other hunters in the area.

Thanks for post!

That what I think as well as I read thru the website and didn't mention what you can or what you can't do.

However, I did sent an inquiry to the MNR about hunting bear near or within the BMA will see what they say when I get a respond and will update when I have more information.

[Species8472]

My guess is it regulates the commercial side of hunting but not the recreational. Guides can't infringe on the designated area however the average joe would treat it as hunting with any other hunters in the area.

Thanks for post!

That what I think as well as I read thru the website and didn't mention what you can or what you can't do.

However, I did sent an inquiry to the MNR about hunting bear near or within the BMA will see what they say when I get a respond and will update when I have more information.

FFF has the right of it. BMA is simply a geographic area where a particular guide or outfitter has the rights for all guided hunts. Self-guided hunts by residents are still legal within these areas. That being said anytime i have hunted in a BMA i have checked in with the outfitter and explained my intentions and got their input on bait locations to make sure i was at least several kms from any of their active hunt locations. This was done out of simple courtesy and to recognize that these people are trying to make a living and i don't want to impede their ability to do that.

[spcamno]

FFF has the right of it. BMA is simply a geographic area where a particular guide or outfitter has the rights for all guided hunts. Self-guided hunts by residents are still legal within these areas. That being said anytime i have hunted in a BMA i have checked in with the outfitter and explained my intentions and got their input on bait locations to make sure i was at least several kms from any of their active hunt locations. This was done out of simple courtesy and to recognize that these people are trying to make a living and i don't want to impede their ability to do that.

Hey Joe,

Thanks for your informative post.

That's exactly my plan was even thought it is perfectly legal to hunt during open season for bear really don't want to step into somebody's toe especially they are making a living from their hard work.

Any idea how to look for the outfitter's info for a particular area?

All I can obtain from the BMA website is an identifier number and OGF_ID which I have no clues what they are, any tip will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[Species8472]

Hey Joe,

Thanks for your informative post.

That's exactly my plan was even thought it is perfectly legal to hunt during open season for bear really don't want to step into somebody's toe especially they are making a living from their hard work.

Any idea how to look for the outfitter's info for a particular area?

All I can obtain from the BMA website is an identifier number and OGF_ID which I have no clues what they are, any tip will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

In the past i contacted the MNRF district office for whatever WMU i wanted to hunt and the area within that WMU and got outfitter names with corresponding BMAs from them. Some outfitters also have maps on their websites showing their BMA boundaries. Been a few years since i have done this as the last 5 years or so i have hunted bear in areas i am familiar with that i know are not hunted by outfitters. Best of luck this fall Norton and let us know how you make out. Still gotta cross paths some day and shoot the chit!

[spcamno]

In the past i contacted the MNRF district office for whatever WMU i wanted to hunt and the area within that WMU and got outfitter names with corresponding BMAs from them. Some outfitters also have maps on their websites showing their BMA boundaries. Been a few years since i have done this as the last 5 years or so i have hunted bear in areas i am familiar with that i know are not hunted by outfitters. Best of luck this fall Norton and let us know how you make out. Still gotta cross paths some day and shoot the chit!

Hey Joe,

Yes, for sure we need to get together sometime and have a blast lol.

Thanks for the tip guess a phone call to local MNR is the way to go.

I usually hunt private property just South of your camp near Port Loring but figured it's been a few years thought I should seek for more options and would try public land to see if the bears are any bigger.

A big bear is still on my bucket list (300+) hopefully one day lol.

Will chat soon have a wonderful Summer and look forward to read more of your hunting stories.

Cheers