Black Bear question

GMC403

GMC403

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I was out stomping around in the timber today and came across a larger Bear cub. We watched it for a bit, it climbed a couple trees and called out a little, Fun to watch.
I had no intention in harvesting a bear that small plus we figured mama must be around somewhere. Sure Enough a good size Sow (I assumed) was foraging about 75yds to my left. The cub eventually made its way over to the other Bear, that's when I noticed there was 2 large Bears there plus the cub.

A shot on either of the large Bears was a sure thing, and they were completely unaware we were even there. Anyways, they walked, but it was cool to watch the interactions.

I am under the impression it is unlawful (and unethical) to harvest a Sow with cub in tow, but what's the call when there is Two adults? I couldn't distinguish a difference between the 2 bears.
 
Bears don't have "family" relationships outside of adult females with juvenile cubs. The bears were probably attracted to the same area as a result of a food source... in larger food sources there is often a truce that goes on with regard to territorial instincts.... sometimes when food is scarce bears become hyper-protective of a specific food source...

In Ontario it is against the law to shoot a sow with cubs... but this time of year, the cubs become more independent and can move some distance away from the sow... making it difficult to determine that a solo adult bear is indeed a sow with cubs... as evidenced by your experience. IMO, one of those two adults was a legal bear... you would have to watch the interactions of the animals to determine which was the sow and which was the legal bear.
 
Thanks Hoyt,

I was thinking the same thing with regards to one of the bears being legal, unfortunately once the cub caught up with the adults there was minimal time to observe without being detected.
 
Betty-Lou said:
B.C: " It's unlawful to hunt a grizzly bear or black bear less than 2 years old or any bear in it's company."
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was flipping through the regs and missed that line. #12 under "unlawful"

That settles that I guess.
 
GMC403 said:
I am under the impression it is unlawful (and unethical) to harvest a Sow with cub in tow, but what's the call when there is Two adults? I couldn't distinguish a difference between the 2 bears.
Click to expand...

Dont shoot.
Cant shoot any two year old bear (or under) in BC as per the regs.
Not sure exactly of the wording, bit close to that.
Rob

I see it was answered two hours before my reply...getting home from work.:HR:
 
Just FYI it is allowed to shoot a sow or cub in Ontario but just not in the spring hunt. I still belive you shouldn`t but its not acually illigal pg 75/77 of regs
 
In Ontario you can shoot any bear you see during the fall hunt. Only males are allowed to be shot in the spring hunt.
 
Regardless of your opinions on the ethical aspects of shooting sows and cubs it is or was legal to shoot a sow in the spring hunt as long as it was not accompanied by a cub. This is found on page 75 of the Ontario hunting regulations 2015. However there has been no word that i am aware of that says that the spring hunt pilot program that was in affect in certain areas of Ontario is going to be continued. Has any one else heard if the spring hunt will be going forward for 2016??
 
xbolt80 said:
Regardless of your opinions on the ethical aspects of shooting sows and cubs it is or was legal to shoot a sow in the spring hunt as long as it was not accompanied by a cub. This is found on page 75 of the Ontario hunting regulations 2015. However there has been no word that i am aware of that says that the spring hunt pilot program that was in affect in certain areas of Ontario is going to be continued. Has any one else heard if the spring hunt will be going forward for 2016??
Click to expand...

No idea. I am sure they will make an announcement either way this winter. I hope they keep the spring hunt and expand it in to Central Ont.
 
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