Shooting a nuisance black bear in AB

C

canucklehead

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
401   0   0
Location
Calgary, AB
Hey guys,

I hesitate to put this in the 'Hunting' forum, but I figured most guys here would know the answer.

I have a family friend that owns an acreage out near Water Valley (WMU 314) and they are having issues with a black bear. He knows I hunt (he only owns a .22), so he asked me if I wanted to come over and 'shoot the thing'. I told him I'd look into the spring bear season and let him know.

Anyway, the season closed on black bear on May 15, so no dice there. However, he says they are 'allowed' to shoot a nuisance bear on their property, especially since they have all kinds of young kids running around in the summer months (grandkids and the like) and they don't really want a confrontation.

I can't find anything in the regs that says you can shoot a bear if you don't like it on your property. Is there any provision for that? EDIT - found it - From the AB Fish and Wildlife website "Legislation allows Alberta landowners to shoot black bears on private lands and grazing leases throughout the year and without permit or limit. Registration of such kills is not yet mandatory, but this requirement is under consideration"

Is there any relocation options? Would Alberta Fish and Wildlife even bother?

I ALSO found out (here's the kicker) - the bear is actually a sow with two young cubs! Personally, shooting it (even if it IS legal) is really not an option in my book. Even if you can shoot the bear, do you just let the cubs starve? Shoot them too? (shudder... I don't THINK so!).

Anyway, I understand his concerns about a black bear always poking around their cabin, especially with young kids running around. He also thinks the cubs will grow up, live in the area, and become a bigger problem (could be right, but shouldn't you wait and see?).

Any thoughts on what I should tell this guy? Like I said, I doubt Fish and Wildlife will set up a trap for relocation, especially due to the cubs.

ANY direction or help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Canuckle, Talk with Jim or Mark at the Sundre detachment. I know them both personally and they are great guys. They don't get anal when asked honest questions such as yours. They are interested in helping out if they can and I am sure they will understand seeings as there are kids involved. They are also very busy which may slow down how fast they can help. Catch 22.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think there has to be some sort of livestock in peril on the property (or in danger of peril) before you can dispatch it.

Too bad she has cubs. I know of one guy up north who kills each and every bear he sees, regardless of age, gender or even if it has cubs. I believe he is over zealous and do not share his taste for blood nor do I support it.
I will call Mark for you if you want to get the dirt.
 
Thanks for the tip - I will give the Sundre Detachment a call.

I thought there would need to be some livestock in the picture as well, but it didn't appear to be the case. And as you said, it's too bad she has cubs, or else I would really have no issue with taking the bear. It just seems unethical with cubs in the picture! I'm no bleeding heart by ANY stretch of the imagination, but it just feels wrong.
 
david doyle said:
Sss
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the cubs too? I don't think I could do that.

I will talk to Fish and Wildlife and let you know what they say. Thanks for the tips guys!

Side note - if the bear turns out to be a nice one, and I have to/can shoot it, could you still get it mounted/rugged? Would F&W issue you a tag? Would it be the same as 'found' wildlife? I doubt a taxidermist would touch it untagged...
 
Just loan your rifle to the landowner and let him deal with the problem. My experience with bears is if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. She will move on with the cubs when the food in that area "dries" up or a large boar moves in and drives them away or kills the cubs himself.
 
canucklehead said:
Yeah, but the cubs too? I don't think I could do that.

I will talk to Fish and Wildlife and let you know what they say. Thanks for the tips guys!

Side note - if the bear turns out to be a nice one, and I have to/can shoot it, could you still get it mounted/rugged? Would F&W issue you a tag? Would it be the same as 'found' wildlife? I doubt a taxidermist would touch it untagged...
Click to expand...

That's where it gets touchy. The only bear I have shot to date was pilaging a friends Honey house and bee hives along the Bergen road not far from your friend. I felt sick about just shooting the bugger and leaving it so I got a written note fromthe land owner saying it was a nuisance bear with legal land description, date and both our signatures. It was good enough for the Taxidermist.

The cubs still complicate it as you already know. The C.O.'s can give you the scoop with that scenario.

The family that got me started in hunting had a bear problem years ago. When they found they were missing a calf they went out in search of it. Sherry had her Ross rifle at the time. Down in the willows she bumped into a big hog of a Grizzly eating her calf, at very close range. She pummeled it as it charged her so fast Mervin said it sounded like a semi auto. It was no bluff charge. Thay made straight for the house and phoned the C.O.'s to come right away as they are very aware of the regs.

She ended up getting a written warning from the government. I don't post this to encourage her actions for others to do the same but really, what would we all do in that situation?

They took the bear, had a rug made and it now sits in the Olds C.O. detachment. She has scared other bears away from her kids with nothing but a broom in her hand while the kids ran for the school bus. What a woman!

In all honesty, if it was me there and my kids WERE threatened and the CO's DIDN"T do anything to help, Well, I'm sorry but momma bear has to go.

If your friend knew how many bears pass through the area in the first place he would smarten up and sell his place to me so I can get the heck out of Dodge!;) Perhaps this is just one instance where he actually was lucky to even see the bear as she passed through.
 
This bear has been around for a while, so it's not just passing through. The only difference this year is the cubs, and they seem to be more active right around the house.

I really have no qualms about shooting the mama if it comes to that... but the children! Won't someone please think about the children!!! ;)

Seriously, I hope there is another option for the cubs. Thanks again for the info guys... I hope to get a more 'legal' answer from the CO's tomorrow.
 
Wouldn't keeping an eye an on the kids and putting in the extra effort to keep them safe for awhile at least until the mother moves on with the cubs be worth it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom