Thank You Tom Cumby for stating the truth. However, very little of what is stated by the OFAH is close to fact.
The Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers(OFAH) is a lobby group for hunters in Ontario. The information they share and the facts they state are in general totally inaccurate. They often disagree with the highly regarded scientists who are employed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Why? Because the facts do not suit the agenda of the OFAH. The politicians pay too much attention to this lobby group. 4% of the people hunt. The vast majority are affected in a negative way. Why are bears targeted by the OFAH and their glut of misinformation? Same reasons wolves are. A bear might(it is uncommon) eat a deer or a moose, an animal that the hunt lobby thinks is theirs to kill. They convince their hunting followers that wolves are only good when dead, same for coyotes and many of their followers hate bears for the same reason. They got rid of Ontario's Cougar (mountain lion). It is time the 96% of taxpayers let the government know the 96% does exist. NOTE: Not all hunters share the view of the OFAH.
Tom Cumby - 10 years ago
Ontario Federation Anglers & Hunters President states in Nov/Dec 2013 "Ontario Out OF Doors" that previous Ontario hunt harvested about 4,000 bears, 70% of which were males. Hence 30% or 1,200 bears were sows (female bears). While not all realistically had cubs ... this harvest of females may have resulted in the orphaning of 2,400 cubs if each female had 2 cubs each. Even though baiting offers hunters the opportunity to properly identify male vs. female bears the above indicates this is not the case. Also baiting habituates bears to human garbage and results in more issues when in proximity to urban areas. A spring bear hunt WILL NOT reduce human/bear issues but would provide additional bear hunting opportunities. May result in less acceptance of hunting in non-hunters eyes.
Thank You Tom Cumby for stating the truth. However, very little of what is stated by the OFAH is close to fact.
The Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers(OFAH) is a lobby group for hunters in Ontario. The information they share and the facts they state are in general totally inaccurate. They often disagree with the highly regarded scientists who are employed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Why? Because the facts do not suit the agenda of the OFAH. The politicians pay too much attention to this lobby group. 4% of the people hunt. The vast majority are affected in a negative way. Why are bears targeted by the OFAH and their glut of misinformation? Same reasons wolves are. A bear might(it is uncommon) eat a deer or a moose, an animal that the hunt lobby thinks is theirs to kill. They convince their hunting followers that wolves are only good when dead, same for coyotes and many of their followers hate bears for the same reason. They got rid of Ontario's Cougar (mountain lion). It is time the 96% of taxpayers let the government know the 96% does exist. NOTE: Not all hunters share the view of the OFAH.
Ontario Federation Anglers & Hunters President states in Nov/Dec 2013 "Ontario Out OF Doors" that previous Ontario hunt harvested about 4,000 bears, 70% of which were males. Hence 30% or 1,200 bears were sows (female bears). While not all realistically had cubs ... this harvest of females may have resulted in the orphaning of 2,400 cubs if each female had 2 cubs each. Even though baiting offers hunters the opportunity to properly identify male vs. female bears the above indicates this is not the case. Also baiting habituates bears to human garbage and results in more issues when in proximity to urban areas. A spring bear hunt WILL NOT reduce human/bear issues but would provide additional bear hunting opportunities. May result in less acceptance of hunting in non-hunters eyes.