Hunting Black Bears with Hounds Allowed Again in Alberta
Alberta has reinstated the use of hounds for black bear hunting, a move that stirred controversy last year. This decision, part of the province’s wildlife management strategy, aims to safeguard caribou populations from predators.
The Ministry of Forestry and Parks stated that the regulation change was based on scientific evidence, stakeholder feedback, and similar rules in other regions. In Alberta, hunting black bears with dogs is allowed in specific wildlife management units during September and October, focusing on areas crucial for threatened caribou.
While some support the decision, concerns persist. Conservationist Ruiping Luo from the Alberta Wilderness Association worries about the impact of off-leash dogs on wildlife. Luo emphasizes the potential disturbance caused by hounds and the threat they pose to non-target species.
Despite these concerns, proponents like Mark Hall from Wild Origins Canada view the use of hounds for black bear hunting as beneficial for wildlife management. Hall cites research indicating that black bear hunting could enhance moose calf survival rates, supporting the argument for its inclusion in Alberta’s caribou recovery program.
Addressing ethical concerns, Hall dismisses the notion that hunting dogs terrorize bears, noting that black bears are accustomed to dealing with predators. He suggests that bears perceive hunting dogs as nuisances rather than direct threats.
Last year, hunters in Alberta harvested 2,431 black bears. The province maintains that the use of dogs for hunting black bears will not adversely affect other wildlife populations.