Hunting black bears in Alberta using hounds has been reinstated after the province made the decision last year, drawing both criticism from wildlife advocates and support from hunters. This move is part of Alberta’s wildlife management strategy aimed at safeguarding recovering caribou populations against predators.
According to the Ministry of Forestry and Parks, the decision to allow the use of dogs for black bear hunting was based on scientific evidence, stakeholder feedback, and similar regulations in other regions. The practice is permitted in specific wildlife management units in Alberta’s northern boreal forests and the Rocky Mountain foothills during September and October, as these areas are crucial habitats for threatened caribou.
While the province sees this change as a demonstration of responsible wildlife management and environmental stewardship, concerns persist among conservationists. Alberta Wilderness Association specialist Ruiping Luo highlighted worries about off-leash dogs potentially disturbing wildlife, including grizzly bears.
Despite the concerns raised, the province asserts that the use of dogs in black bear hunting will not have adverse effects on grizzly bears or other wildlife populations. The decision to include hound-assisted hunting in the regulations was a collaborative effort involving experts, biologists, scientists, and hunting advocates working towards supporting caribou recovery without compromising black bear management.
Advocates of the practice, such as Mark Hall from Wild Origins Canada, cite research suggesting that black bear hunting can benefit wildlife populations. Hall emphasized that the inclusion of dog-assisted hunting in Alberta’s wildlife management plan is supported by scientific evidence and contributes positively to caribou recovery efforts.
Addressing ethical concerns, Hall dismissed the notion that hunting dogs terrorize or exhaust bears, stating that bears naturally coexist with predators and perceive hunting dogs as a mere nuisance. He emphasized that bears are equipped to handle such interactions, and fears projected onto bears are often unfounded.
In the previous year, hunters in Alberta harvested 2,431 black bears.
