Nipigon Mayor calls for return of spring bear hunt
Richard Harvey says bears are now walking on elementary school property in community north of Thunder Bay
Municipal officials and police along the north shore of Lake Superior are reporting more nuisance bear complaints from residential neighbourhoods.
OPP have killed two bears, and others had to be scared away in the Terrace Bay, Schreiber and Nipigon areas, according to Carol Michtics, a constable in Nipigon.
"People are reporting that the bears are on their property, close to the residences, and often walking down the streets of the communities," she said.
Recent changes to the province's Bear Wise education and response program are among a series of cuts at the Ministry of Natural Resources. The MNR will no longer set traps, relocate bears, or make on-site visits to landowners who are having conflicts with bears.
In an interview with CBC News in May, Ministry spokesperson Jolanta Kowalski said the ministry will continue to aid police in emergency situations with bears.
"This may include immobilization and dispatch but only as a last resort and only at the request of police," said Kowalski. The ministry also has a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week reporting line through bear season. We will continue to work with municipalities and the public providing advice and education in dealing with bears."
Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey said he’s worried about not having Ministry of Natural Resources bear technicians at the ready to help in situations like these.
"The issue is that if there's a bear, the bear needs to be removed or eliminated," he said.
He noted that bears have been hanging around a school in Nipigon, and the problem will only be solved if the province reinstates the spring bear hunt.
Tips for avoiding problems with bears:
- Use bird feeders during the late fall and winter months, store them in the spring and summer.
- Put garbage in containers with tight fitting lids and only put them out on garbage days, not the night before. Do not stockpile garbage, if you have a large amount, take it to the dump.
- Store garbage containers in bear resistant bins, sheds or garages.
- Keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day.
- Do not leave pet food outside, feed your pets indoors.
- Remove grease and food residue from barbeque grills, including the grease cup underneath, after each use.
- Do not put meat, fish, or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter.
- Pick all ripe fruit off the trees and remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground.
- Never purposely feed bears or try to approach them.
- To report a bear complaint to the Ontario Provincial Police, phone 1-888-310-1122. Do not phone 911 unless there is an emergency situation. For bear problems contact the Bear Report Line at 1-866-514-2327.
Source: Nipigon OPP