The Alberta government’s decision to allow hunters to utilize dogs for black bear hunting to aid in caribou conservation efforts is facing skepticism from wildlife biologists. The regulatory change, initially implemented last year by Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, triggered mixed reactions from wildlife advocates and hunters. The subsequent reinstatement of the regulation this year has stirred controversy, sparking public demands to revoke the hunt and a campaign in support of it.
The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations for this year states that the use of dogs for hunting black bears is intended to support predator management in caribou recovery areas. However, former provincial caribou manager Dave Hervieux, who worked with the government for over four decades, disputes the notion that hunting black bears with dogs contributes to caribou conservation.
Hervieux points out that out of the 23 wildlife management units allowing hunting black bears with dogs, 10 lack caribou range, and two have minimal caribou presence. He emphasizes that these areas historically did not support caribou populations. While acknowledging the success of wolf culls in stabilizing caribou numbers, Hervieux asserts that targeting black bears for conservation purposes is not effective.
University of Alberta ecology professor Mark Boyce supports Hervieux’s stance, highlighting the negligible impact of black bears on caribou populations in Alberta. Boyce raises concerns about the potential risks of using dogs to hunt black bears, particularly in grizzly bear territories, where conflicts may arise.
The provincial Department of Forestry and Parks justifies the use of dogs for black bear hunting as a means to expand sustainable hunting opportunities, with caribou conservation being labeled as a secondary benefit. Despite this, the hunting regulations emphasize caribou conservation as the primary objective. The province contends that reducing black bear populations in certain areas can alleviate predation pressure on caribou, thus aiding in calf survival and supporting caribou recovery efforts.
In 2021, hunters harvested 2,431 black bears in Alberta. The government asserts that managing predation on caribou is a priority, and enabling additional strategies for black bear harvest in targeted areas will complement existing predator control measures. Hunting black bears with dogs is permitted during September and October in Alberta to avoid overlapping with caribou calving periods in spring. The practice is restricted to areas where bait use for black bear hunting is prohibited, and dogs are also allowed for cougar and game bird hunting in the province.