Once-controversial black bear hunt faces changes in Ontario

While Ontario’s black bears hibernate through the winter months, provincial officials are working to change how the species is managed — changes that could affect hunters, outfitters and bear populations across the province.

Ontario cancelled its spring bear hunt in 1999 amid concerns that cubs were being orphaned. The decision outraged outfitters, who lost a lucrative business that had brought millions of dollars to northern Ontario.

The hunt was restored in 2014, but some outfitters never returned to bear hunting.

Brenda Barefoot, owner of Bear’s Den Lodge on the French River, no longer offers bear hunts and now focuses on fishing.

“Had we been strictly all bear hunting, [the cancellation of the hunt] would have killed our business,” Barefoot said.

Now, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is developing population targets for black bears, setting acceptable lower and upper limits in 29 regions across Ontario.

Under the proposal, if bear populations fall below local targets, hunters would be required to enter a lottery system to obtain a bear tag, similar to the current draw for deer and moose. At present, any licensed Ontario hunter can apply to hunt black bear.

Currently, any Ontario hunter can simply apply for a licence to hunt bear.

If populations rise above the upper threshold, hunters could be allowed to harvest a second bear.

Mark Ryckman, manager of policy with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, said his organization understands the rationale for a lottery system in the future, but questions whether it’s necessary now with the provincial bear population steady at around 75,000 animals.

Ministry data shows hunters took 6,207 bears in 2024, up from 4,841 the year before.

"Black bear hunters in Ontario are not necessarily opposed to a tag draw," Ryckman said. "But they're not convinced that it needs to be implemented anywhere at this time."

Black bear outfitter Dave Smetana agrees. 

He's the owner of Olive the Lakes at Marten River and welcomes dozens of bear hunters each spring and fall to his cottage resort north of North Bay .