Plans for grizzly hunt extension going ahead

Fascinating meeting with Garth Mowat yesterday, the official who wants to extend the Kootenay Grizzly hunt, at his offices in Nelson.

It turns out that he has almost no scientific basis for extending the hunt - he argued by turns that an extension would decrease the number of female bears killed, then that it would increase the number of female bears killed, and then that the number of females killed is not the issue.

At one stage, he said: "This is not science." Instead he described his contention that a longer hunt would be good for grizzly bears as a "hunch."

The other thing that became clear is that while the Ministry of Environment invites consultation for its policies on grizzly hunting, only hunters and outfitters are given a hearing. Incredible.

Despite that, plans to extend the grizzly hunt in the Kootenays are going ahead. By Garth Mowat's own admission that will lead to a longer hunting season and more grizzlies being killed (for at least five years.)

Great. At a time when there is pressure to close the grizzly hunt on the coast, we are increasing it in the Kootenays. If you're not thrilled by this write to Garth Mowat. His email is: garth.mowat@gov.bc.ca

Even better, try his boss Wayne Stetski - wayne.stetski@gov.bc.ca

Perhaps he will be more understanding in recognising that the vast majority of residents don't want a grizzly hunt at all, let alone an extended one.



On a positive note, above is a photo of a grizzly bear that survived this spring's hunt in our area and is back again this year.