Québec rallonge la période de chasse à l'ours

[Animal 0]

Bear-hunting season extended to decrease population
The Record (Sherbrooke)
Thu 06 Jul 2006
Page: 4
Section: News
Byline: Brion Robinson
Dateline: SHERBROOKE
Source: The Record


SHERBROOKE - Quebec has extended the black bear hunt in parts of the Eastern
Townships to the fall of the year to claw back the region's surging bear
population and spur a commercial hunt. But some hunting supply shop owners say
bear hunting is a hard sell.


I've only sold a handful of bear-hunting licenses so far this year, said Marcel
Camire from Plein Air Chasse et Peche Magog Inc, commenting this is a very small
number compared to the 1,500 deer hunting licenses he sells every year.


Camire said bears are not that popular among hunters because many don't eat the
meat from their catch. He also noted that the region has an abundance of deer
that attract hunters from across the province and the United States.


Although many black-bear hunting licenses aren't sold in the region, the furry
animal has been the target of professional poachers who sell their gall bladders
to Asian markets to be used as traditional medicine. It's a lucrative business
that brings thousands of illegal dollars into the province every year.


The black bear hunt started in parts of the Eastern Townships May 15 and will go
as late as Oct. 20. Registered hunters are permitted to kill two bears each and,
depending on the time of year and region, they can use bait and hunting dogs to
take down their prey. They are also permitted to use various weapons such as
cross bows, bows and arrows and guns. Quebec's fish and game department
estimates these hunters kill some 5,000 bears every year. (On ne parle pas ici des ours qui sont piégés....)


"Many hunters around here believe the abundance of bears is harming the region's
deer population," Faut en laisser pour les chasseurs voyons !! said Daniel Miller from the Lachance Chasse et Peche Enr. in
Sherbrooke, noting this is one of the reasons he has sold more bear-hunting permits.


Miller, who sells a variety of bear-hunting gear such as bait and guns, said the
bear hunt is good for business. But most of his customers are more interested in
bagging a deer.


Despite the relatively low numbers of bear hunters roaming the Townships'
forested areas, wildlife biologist for the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Wildlife Marc-Jacques Gosselin said an extended hunt is the best way to bring
the region's black-bear population back to manageable numbers.


Black bears have been increasing since hunting was scaled back in 1998, Gosselin
said, noting there were only 1.4 black bears per 10 sq. km.


"There was too much hunting and the population was dwindling," he said. "We
stopped the bear hunt during the fall."


Now, there are an estimated two black bears living in per every 10 sq. km region
of the Townships.


Gosselin said more bears means more confrontations between the sometimes deadly
animals and humans and more nuisance bears roaming through rural communities.


"This information brings us to the conclusion that biologically and socially
this ratio is too high for the region," he said, noting other game such as moose
and deer, that are a main attraction for hunters, will not venture into areas
where they pick up the scent of a bear.


The bear hunt is good for the region and the economy, he said.

However, some animal welfare groups say bear hunts have no practical purpose.


"It's a completely recreational sport," said Celecia Partap, the spokesperson
for the Canadian chapter of the World Society for the Protection of Animals,
during a telephone interview from her office in Toronto. "When you think about
it, most people don't eat the meat."


Partap said there are more effective ways to manage the bear population than
killing them. They include trapping and moving them to unpopulated areas.


"Allowing the spring bear hunt doesn't get rid of the bears," she said. "It
exacerbates the problem."


Partap said hunters who use bait often lure bears out of their natural habitat
and into populated areas. She said this increases bear sightings.


She also noted that bears who evade hunters and bullets use up more energy and
spend more time looking for food. This also drives them to look for food in
dumps and fields.

Other animal welfare groups have protested against spring bear hunt because they
say many mother bears are still caring for their cubs. Without their mothers,
they could starve to death.

Although the hunt has its opponents, supporters and everyone else in between,
for Quebec's some 70,000 bears it's life in the woods as usual.



2006 The Record (Sherbrooke)


Illustration:
* Photo: Perry Beaton, Special to The Record / Daniel Miller, who sells a
variety of bear-hunting gear such as bait and guns, said the bear hunt is good
for business.

[animo-aequoanimo 0]

Ce soir aux nouvelles, ils ont montré un ours qui s'est fait frappé par une auto et qui est mort. L'animateur a montré un peu de compassion en disant "ce [url]pauvre[/url] ours" et qu'il faudrait des pancartes pour aviser les automobilistes de la présence des ours sur cette route, mais je ne me souviens plus de quelle route il s'agissait. J'ai vraiment senti de la compassion dans sa voix. Il aurait pu dire "ce pauvre ours" de façon banale mais là, c'était le même ton que celui d'une personne quidirait "pauvre petit chien". C'est assez rare que ça arrive que ça m'a vraiment interpellée. Je ne sais plus le nom de l'animateur. C'est un remplaçant d'été. Je crois qu'il s'appelle Richard Latendresse. Si c'est bien son nom, il le porte bien. Je vais essayer de vérifier si c'est son nom. C'était à TVA.

Voilà, c'est bien ça : http://tva.canoe.com/votreinfo/letvamidi.html

[Animal 0]

Il porte bien son nom !

[animo-aequoanimo 0]

Ça faisait changement avec le claude Charron et les autres qui sont carrément pour la chasse au phoque et qui ont leur sourire narquois bien accroché quand ils parlent de ces sujets.

[Animal 0]

Oui tu peux l'dire !!!!!!!! Sans compter certains membres du gouvernement, ie la Hervieux-Payette !!!!!!!! D'ailleurs, il faudra lui réserver un petit encart dans notre prochain bulletin à cette ....perie

[animo-aequoanimo 0]

Citation :

D'ailleurs, il faudra lui réserver un petit encart dans notre prochain bulletin à cette ....perie

YESSSSSSSS !!!!! TRES BONNE IDEE !!!!!!