The province is proposing a new black bear hunt in the Lower Mainland.
The additional hunt would be over the month of August, and be restricted to private land only. Hunters would be required to obtain permission from the land owner before entering a property.
Bears can already be hunted during two openings in B.C. – in the fall from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30, and during spring from April 1 to June 15. There is also a bow-only hunt from Sept. 1 to 9. Hunters can take two bears, and it is unlawful to kill bears under two years old, or any bear in its company.
Some berry, fruit, and vegetable producers have requested the new August opening in the Lower Mainland to protect their produce. A summer hunt already happens in other areas of the province – the Kootenays and Okanagan.
“This opportunity could allow farmers and hunters to cooperate in addressing farm management issues,” says the government proposal.
Meadows Family Farm on 248th Street had nine goats killed by a bear last spring, but owner Mirco Lefebvre said he will install electric fencing around his farm this year, rather than hunt bears.
This bear had a taste for goats, and would rip boards off his barn to get at them. It also took goats from other nearby farms, until eventually the Conservation Officer Service killed the bear.
Lefebvre isn’t opposed to shooting problem bears, and he has a sense that the bruin population around Maple Ridge is booming. He suggest the government should have excellent numbers before allowing more hunts. Current estimates put the population at 120,00 0 to 160,000 for the province.
“Last year was the only one where we’ve ever had a problem with bears,” he said. “We have bears wander our farm all the time.”
He had three bear families frequent the farm – two sows with three cubs each, and another mom with two offspring.
Generally, they would just tip over garbage cans, but have the potential to cause problems.
It’s a farm that offers family fun, and they planted corn to make a maze, but the bears ate it.
“They destroyed the corn field,” he said.
They also claimed a neighbour’s acorn tree.
“The mom and her cubs would spend hours in the tree, eating acorns and breaking branches,” observed Lefebvre.
But he would rather put up an electric fence than shoot the bears for taking crops.
The bear that was killing livestock was creating real concern in the neighbourhood, and fears that it could be dangerous.
Krissy Whitlock of the Maple Ridge Black Bear Society opposes the hunt, and is urging her members to do the same. Her group works to reduce human-bear conflicts.
She urged her group members to take the time to oppose the hunting of black bears in the Lower Mainland.
There was condemnation from members of the local society. One noted that a beekeeper in Pitt Meadows was charged for killing bears, but the new regulations would allow it.
The Fur-Bearers have also come out opposing the August hunt, saying “We’re concerned this could complicate public safety and enforcement and orphan cubs. Non-lethal tools like electric fencing and securing attractants are safer, more effective alternatives.”
The public is invited to offer feedback online. For information see www2.gov.bc.ca. The closing date for public comment is Feb. 13 at 4:30 p.m.
A decision on the summer hunt is expected this spring.