Sudbury

Ontario launches spring bear hunt 'pilot program'

The Ontario government says it will once again allow the hunting of bears this spring.

Ontario Proposing a black bear management pilot in north

Bear hunt areas for Ontario's proposed spring bear hunt pilot program. (MNR)

The Ontario government says it will once again allow the hunting of bears this spring.

The province cancelled the spring bear hunt amid much controversy in 1999. But today, Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti said a limited hunt will be tried out for the next two springs.

Under the proposed pilot project, hunting bear cubs or females with cubs would be illegal. The province will monitor and evaluate the success of this pilot project on an ongoing basis.

The hunt will only be in certain parts of the North — mostly around major cities such as Timmins, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay.

The MNR said the hunt will also only be open to Ontario residents. The hunting of cubs — as well as female bears with cubs — is prohibited.

A news release also says town and city councils will have to pass resolutions to open the door to bear hunting within their municipal borders.