In 1999, the Ontario Progressive Conservative government abruptly cancelled the spring black bear hunting season amidst growing concerns that the practice was unethical, unsportsmanlike, and was needlessly orphaning bear cubs. Fifteen years later, the decision is still a source of controversy in northern Ontario as many point to the tens of millions of dollars lost to the outfitting/guiding industry and the perception that the reduction in hunting pressure has led to an increase in the black bear population.

In November 2013, Minister of Natural Resources, David Orazietti, announced that the government was finally reopening the books on the spring bear hunt by reintroducing a limited two year pilot season (the first just ended on 15 June 2014). The hunt would take place in eight wildlife management units near the region’s five largest centres (North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timmins) in order to reduce human-bear conflict. However, there is no science to suggest that additional hunting pressure in these areas will mitigate unwanted encounters between humans and bears. The driving force behind these types of incidents is generally, food availability, which is hinged both on seasonal variations and human responsibility (limiting attractants). Thus, much like the first spring bear hunt debate, it appears that this one will also not be without controversy.

As part of Dr. Kirsten Greer’s course, GEOG-2226: Environment and Society at Nipissing University, Mike Commito, PhD candidate at McMaster University, gave a talk about the history of the spring bear hunt in Ontario. He focuses on the ways in which scientific, ethical, and geographic concerns have shaped the conversation around this controversial hunting practice in the province in order to provide context, question, and better understand the current situation.

Feature Image: Michael Commito lecture, The History of the Ontario Spring Bear Hunt, 2014

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Michael Commito

Applied Research Developer at Cambrian College

Mike Commito is an Applied Research Developer at Cambrian College, a part-time instructor in the Department of History at Laurentian University, and a hockey historian. Mike's writing has appeared on the Athletic, Sportsnet, and VICE Sports. His first hockey history book, Hockey 365, hits shelves on September 22, 2018. Follow Mike on Twitter @mikecommito

Latest posts by Michael Commito (see all)

• Rhizomes: An Interview with Mike Commito - February 26, 2018
• Lecture: History of the Ontario Spring Bear Hunt - July 11, 2014
• New Scholars Committee is Recruiting - May 15, 2012
• The History of People and Black Bears in Ontario - May 14, 2012