Hunting guides turn to ecotourism as COVID-19 keeps American hunters away

Hunting guides, hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions on travel keeping foreign customers out of the country, are turning to ecotourism, including wildlife viewing, snowmobiling and guided hikes, to keep their business alive during the pandemic.

The body representing Canada's outfitters says far more of their members have been opening up their cabins and lodges in Canada's backcountry -- as well as transport by small plane and horseback -- to people who want to enjoy the outdoors and view wild animals but not hunt them.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also seen a rising number of licences reserved for hunters from outside Canada made available to Canadians, some of whom have taken up hunting for the first time.

Some outfitters say they have not had a single client from outside Canada since March 2020 until recently, after the border reopened to vaccinated Americans in August.

With thousands of American hunters who usually come to Canada to shoot big game forced to stay away during COVID-19, some outfitters say there also are hundreds more bears in their areas.