MNR Seeks Assistance From Resident Black Bear Hunters

[sawbill]

You have to understand this; its not the MNR calling the shots on whether there's a spring hunt or not, it the government of the day that makes this decision.

[MarkD]

You have to understand this; its not the MNR calling the shots on whether there's a spring hunt or not, it the government of the day that makes this decision.

This is very true.
However, if MNR ask for help, they should identify why they need this data, how it will be processed and for what purpose used.
I don't mind to help MNR because science and wildlife management is not (or should not be) connected to politic. But before I spend my time and money (my understanding is that hunters supposed to pay post duties) I want at least know that this is somehow meaningful. For now it seems that they ask for something but they don't even have the staff to deal with it.

[SK33T3R]

They've been collecting teeth and data for quite a few years. I know the spring season was political but going from unlimited tags (one per bear) to one per season was NOT political. I have asked for years about extra tags for extra $ of course. They came across with extra tags BUT in units up in nowhere'sville. The bear population is exploding and yet NOTHING. Almost like they know less today then they knew before. The WMU that I hunt in has no shortage of bears, lots of conflicts etc etc. Yet they sit in their office and now request my participation AGAIN - at my expense again! Sorry ... when you start participating with my requests then I'll start participating with yours.

Knowledge is a valuable thing but only when you use it!

My slant on this is they're not using it!

[Dude Bro]

I can personally guarantee that they use it, but unfortunately there is a disconnect between the researchers/managers who collect and analyze the information and the policy people who are tasked with making the regulations. If science were the only guiding principle, they never would have cancelled the spring bear hunt - plain and simple. But the government has to consider users other than hunters, so the increasing bear numbers aren't necessarily reflected in regulation. It's maddening, but it's the way of the world.

[woody1948]

Be it the way of the world or not. I won't be participating. We still shoot and shovel here.
Lots of Bears for a spring hunt, but you can't see them from Queens Park. I have a friend who has been prospecting for 50 years, this is the first year he has ever carried a gun. I asked him about it, he said it is getting scary in the bush, the Bears are losing their fear of man. I seen one a few weeks back when I was blueberry picking, it stood up and looked at me, never seen that behaviour before, generally they high tail it.

[Greenhorn]

I talked to the MNR in New Brunswick this week and theirs talk of TWO Tags for every hunter in New Brunswick. Not a lot of bear hunters.The MNR should be reminded that rules and regulations are suppose to be standard across Canada. Food for thought. Brent