The Alberta government’s decision to allow hunters to use dogs for black bear hunting in efforts to aid caribou conservation has sparked controversy among wildlife biologists. Last year, the regulation change drew backlash from wildlife advocates and support from hunters. This year, the reinstatement of the practice has led to public calls for the hunt to be rescinded and a campaign in its support.
According to this year’s Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, the move aims to support predator management in areas of concern for caribou recovery. However, Dave Hervieux, the province’s former caribou manager, disputes the idea that hunting black bears with dogs will benefit caribou conservation efforts, citing a lack of scientific basis for this approach.
Hervieux points out that many of the wildlife management units where hunting black bears with dogs is allowed do not have caribou range or historical caribou presence. He emphasizes that the primary focus of bear hunting with dogs is in areas unrelated to caribou conservation.
While the government controls wolf populations to protect caribou, Hervieux asserts that there is minimal evidence of black bears preying on caribou calves in Alberta. He highlights the importance of habitat conservation and recovery for caribou, emphasizing the need to address ongoing habitat loss to ensure their survival.
Echoing Hervieux’s concerns, University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce emphasizes the negligible impact of black bear predation on caribou populations in Alberta. He warns of potential risks associated with hunting grizzly bears with dogs and stresses the importance of habitat conservation for caribou survival.
The provincial government defends its decision, stating that hunting regulations are based on wildlife data and scientific information. They argue that allowing dog hunting of black bears can provide broader hunting opportunities for Albertans and potentially benefit caribou conservation as a secondary outcome.
Last year, hunters harvested 2,431 black bears in Alberta. The government asserts that managing predation on caribou and enhancing black bear harvest opportunities can support caribou recovery efforts. The use of dogs for black bear hunting is permitted in specific areas and timeframes to prevent overlap with caribou calving periods and where bait hunting is prohibited.