[Note: The following article appears in the Fall 2003 issue of Nova Outdoors. Although the subject matter focuses on hunting (as opposed to snaring by trappers) and describes how bear hunting season has been extended through to the end of the General Open Season for Hunting Deer, the concluding message on the value and purpose of hunter reporting applies equally to reporting by trappers and all species hunted or trapped.]

The history of how bears have been 'used' in Nova Scotia is interesting and an excellent example of how social values and public attitude toward bears has evolved.

Early settlers learned from the Mi'kmaq the many values of bear. They were used for food and for the value of the pelt, claws and teeth by hunters/trappers. As agricultural pursuits grew however, conflict with the animal increased to the point where it became acceptable to simply shoot a bear on sight, anytime.

The assault on bears became more formal in the early 1900's with the introduction of a bounty, offered at times by both provincial and municipal governments. Bear bounties were discontinued in 1966. However, until 1988, landowners, hunters and trappers holding a big game licence could take an unlimited number of bear throughout the fall deer hunt.

Black bears were finally recognized as a valued big game animal in 1988. New regulations were introduced that have remained in place through 2002. They include:

1) A separate licence to hunt bears (@ $20 + tax);
2) A separate licence to trap bears (by foot snare only; @ $20 + tax; available to licensed FurHarvesters only);
3) Licences issued only at local DNR offices;
4) Hunting over bait only;
5) A requirement to register all bait sites with DNR (together with #4, to counter deer poaching);
6) Written landowner permission to establish a bear bait site on privately owned land;
7) Separation of bear and deer hunting seasons (primarily to counter deer poaching);
8) Compulsory submission of hunter and trapper report cards and,
9) A bag limit of one bear by hunting and one by snaring.

Three additional changes to the regulations followed:

10) A limited pre-hunt baiting period introduced in 1994;
11) Compulsory submission of skull for tooth extraction introduced in 1995;
12) In 1996, a requirement for DNR to seal bear gall bladders before sale or export, and
13) In 2003, bear hunting season is being extended through to the end of the general deer hunt... discussed below.

Serious bear hunters welcomed the bear hunting regulations introduced in 1988. Hunting over a bait greatly increases success and registration of bait sites effectively gives hunters exclusive privileges in their chosen hunting area. Conversely, they have been complicated and administratively cumbersome, making us the only Canadian jurisdiction not allowing a mixed bag, big game hunt (i.e. the opportunity to hunt deer and bear at the same time). Conflict with bears occurs yearly. In years of abundant natural bear foods the number of problem situations is relatively low compared to years when foods are scarce. Years of plenty also result in a high rate of cub survival. If the following year offers little natural food, the high number of hungry dispersing juveniles places a high demand on staff to deal with hundreds of nuisance bear complaints.

Nuisance/problem bear reports have increased considerably in recent years. The Department addressed 578 nuisance/problem bear situations in 2002 and recorded 44 vehicle/bear incidents. These are the highest numbers of bear related incidents/year on record, and year 2003 is shaping up the same way.

There are a number of reasons for the increased number of nuisance/problem bear situations in recent years: cool late springs resulting in slow development of natural foods; more housing developments and sprawl of acreage dwellings into bear habitat, and the high level of protection in recent years (since 1988) allowing an overall population increase.

There have been 'stories' in recent years, of hunters becoming frustrated/annoyed with the restrictive nature of Nova Scotia's bear hunting regulations and simply taking a bear without a licence. No doubt there has been an element of poaching but there has been little evidence to substantiate the stories. There have however, been many hunters clearly expressing their disappointment in not being able to hunt bears during the fall deer hunt and in 2002 the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers & Hunters (NSFAH) requested this change by resolution.

The request by hunters and the escalating number of nuisance bear situations, has resulted in the following regulation change for fall 2003:

- Bear hunting season will be extended through to the end of the General Open Season for Hunting Deer, and

- During the general deer hunt (October 31st - December 6, 2003) there will be no requirement to hunt bear at a registered bait site.

- All regulations for the early bear hunting season (September 8th - October 30, 2003) remain unchanged from previous years. (i.e. hunt only at registered bait sites)

- Though legal to set out bait for bears until the end of the season, written permission of the landholder if bait for bear is placed on privately owned land, will remain in effect.

Another new regulation introduced this year at the request of the NSFAH is:

n No person who holds a Bear Hunting License shall take, hunt or kill or attempt to take hunt or kill a female bear which is accompanied by one or more cubs.

Many hunters have seen bears when deer hunting but it was not legal to take the bear. In the past, if a person took a deer early in the hunt, they were then only able to hunt small game and coyotes. Now they will have the option of hunting bear as well.

It remains to be seen how many more bear hunting stamps will be issued this year. It is expected to be considerably higher than the + 500 issued in recent years. However, an increase in sales would be unmanageable at DNR offices, the only place they were sold in the past. In anticipation of this problem, bear hunting stamps will now be available at a select number of license vendors who sell all other hunting stamps.

Similar to the Small Game Report Card, the Bear Hunter Report Card is now a postcard type form in the Hunting & Furharvesting License & Summary of Regulations booklet which is part of the base license for any hunting in Nova Scotia. The report form may be sent in by mail (if no bear was taken) or for successful hunters, submitted at a local DNR office together with the skull of the bear for extraction of a small pre-molar tooth to determine age of the animal.

HUNTERS MUST REMEMBER: SUBMISSION OF THE BEAR HUNTER REPORT CARD AND SUBMISSION OF THE BEAR'S SKULL AT A DNR OFFICE, WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE SEASON (BY DECEMBER 22, 2003) IS REQUIRED BY LAW.

Assuring wildlife populations are harvested at a sustainable level requires the involvement and assistance of all hunters. Though an individual's contribution may seem insignificant, it becomes very valuable when combined with that of others. The alternatives (research, studies and surveys) are prohibitively expensive and near impossible to maintaining.

It is easy to forget to submit a hunter report card or to avoid the inconvenience of taking the skull to a DNR office. However, if we are unable to demonstrate that bear hunting is sustainable, those opposed to hunting could very well force a closure.

The future of hunting depends on the collective participation of hunters in management programs.

Submitted by: Anthony (Tony) L. Nette
Manager, Wildlife Resources
Wildlife Division
136 Exhibition Street,
Kentville, Nova Scotia
B4N 4E5
E-mail netteal@gov.ns.ca