Hunters aren't the only ones who should weigh in on a proposed bear hunt, says the head of the region's sportsmen alliance.
Public comments are now open on the Ministry of Natural Resource’s pilot project to allow Ontario hunters the chance to hunt bears rom May 1 to June 15 in eight regions, including Thunder Bay.
Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen Alliance executive director John Kaplanis said hunting male bears in the spring means they're less likely to be a nuisance to humans later in the year.
For that reason, he thinks the general public, especially in the North, should comment on it.
"This is a good first step," he said of the plan.
He's hoping that the pilot program will be a success and lead to an expanded hunt, which would have more of an impact on the nuisance bear population.
While local hunters are always willing to help with wildlife management, hunters from outside of the region are usually the ones hunting black bear.
"It has been growing a bit but it's not something that's really all that popular to be quite honest," he said.
Under the plan, cubs and female bears with cubs would be prohibited from being hunted.
For more information see the province's website.
