Province announces a ban on grizzly bear hunting, effective immediately. File photo.
Hunting of grizzly bears is now banned for resident and non-resident hunters in B.C.
The province announced Monday morning an end to grizzly bear hunting takes effect immediately throughout the province.
“Through consultations this past fall, we have listened to what British Columbians have to say on this issue and it is abundantly clear that the grizzly hunt is not in line with their values,” Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson said in a release.
The spring grizzly bear hunt was scheduled to open on April 1.
The province already ended trophy hunting for grizzly bears, which took effect November 30, and all hunting of grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest.
“Our government is committed to improving wildlife management in B.C., and today’s announcement, along with a focused grizzly bear management plan, are the first steps in protecting one of our most iconic species,” Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman said in the release.
The government says public consultation revealed 78 per cent of respondents want the hunt to be stopped entirely.
First Nations are able to continue grizzly bear hunting in accordance with Aboriginal rights for food, social, or ceremonial purposes or treaty rights.
There are an estimated 15,000 grizzly bears in B.C.
Andy Neal
